Rivera has reached base in 10 of 12 appearances in August, slashing .231/.348/.256 with two RBI, four runs, and a 7:10 BB:K in 39 at-bats.

Rivera won't light the world on fire with his bat, as evidenced by his slash line on the season (.238/.306/.416), but his defense is an invaluable asset that affords him a handful of starts per week. However, Yasmani Grandal remains the relevant Padres catcher to consider, if in need of a power threat behind the plate - he's tallied four homers in 79 at-bats since the All-Star break.

Rene Rivera had a great night at the dish, going 3-for-5 with a solo home run and a two-run single in Thursday's win against the Cubs.

Rivera entered the night having logged just one hit in his last 17 plate appearances, so he busted out of the slump in a big way. He took Edwin Jackson deep for a solo shot in the fifth inning, then singled to right to drive in two in the sixth. Rivera has done well in the power department, but hasn't done much else, slashing .228/.286/.436 with seven home runs and 26 RBI on the season.

Rene Rivera belted a solo homer in Tuesday's loss to the Mariners.

Rivera's blast got the scoring going in the second inning, but that's the only run the Padres could muster in their weak four-hit effort. While he's hitting just .225 this season, Rivera has provided some sock with five longballs.

Rene Rivera connected for a two-run homer in Friday's loss to the Mets.

His two-run blast off Bartolo Colon in the second inning was the only offense of the evening for San Diego. Rivera now has four home runs on the year, which puts him just two behind Yasmani Grandal and Seth Smith for the team lead. It's sad state of affairs for the Padres.

Rene Rivera went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the Rockies.

Rivera went deep off of Juan Nicasio in the sixth inning, his third homer of the season. He also threw out three would-be base-stealers on the afternoon. Rivera hasn't played a whole lot, but when he has, he has contributed, now slashing .275/.302/.529 in 54 plate appearances.

Rene Rivera went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.

With Yasmani Grandal starting at first base against the left-handed Wade Miley, Rivera took advantage of the starting opportunity. Rivera's two-run double in the fourth inning tied the game, and his ninth-inning double put Cameron Maybin at third in advance of Yonder Alonso's RBI fielder's choice. Rivera remains the third catcher on the Padres, behind both Grandal and Nick Hundley.

Rene Rivera had the game of his life in Monday's 6-4 win against the Giants, going 2-for-5 with a double, home run and five RBI.

Per Baseball Reference's MLB play index, Rivera, who debuted in 2004, had 18.5% of his career RBI this evening (5 of 27). Baseball Prospectus contributor and Padres blogger Geoff Young passed along that the third-string catcher's five RBI were the most by a Padres' backstop since Ramon Hernandez accumulated seven on September 27, 2005. Rivera, the owner of a career .524 OPS, had seven RBI total last year. This will never happen again.

Padres catcher Rene Rivera shed 20 pounds over the offseason.

The 30-year-old is devoting his time and effort in Major League camp to working with the pitchers rather than focusing on competition for a roster spot. As long as Yasmani Grandal is healthy enough to begin the regular season with the team, Rivera is likely slated for Triple-A.

Padres purchased the contract of C Rene Rivera from Triple-A Tucson.

He'll back up Nick Hundley with Yasmani Grandal out indefinitely Rivera has hit .343/.382/.474 with five homers and 38 RBI on the season at Triple-A but should be avoided in fantasy leagues.

The Padres are expected to promote Rene Rivera from Triple-A Tuscon on Sunday in the wake of the severe knee injury suffered Saturday by Yasmani Grandal.

Rivera will function in a reserve role, with Nick Hundley expected to assume the primary catching duties for the Padres. Rivera, who hasn't played in the big leagues since 2011, was hitting .343/.382/.474 with five homers and 38 RBI on the season at Triple-A.

Padres signed C Rene Rivera to a minor league contract.

He also gets a spring training invite. Rivera, 29, batted .226/.307/.385 with 10 homers and a .693 OPS in 95 games with the Twins' Triple-A affiliate this past season. He'll function as organizational depth.

Twins reassigned C Rene Rivera and RHP Pedro Florimon to minor league camp.

Rivera posted an ugly .144/.211/.202 in 100-plus plate appearances last year for the Twins. He never stood a chance of cracking the club's 2012 Opening Day roster.

Twins re-signed C Rene Rivera to a minor league contract.

Rivera batted just .144/.211/.202 over 104 at-bats with the Twins this season but is considered a solid defensive backstop. He'll likely begin 2012 at Triple-A, though.

Twins sent C Rene Rivera outright to Triple-A Rochester.

Rivera batted just .144/.211/.202 over 104 at-bats with the Twins this season but is regarded as a solid defense catcher. The 28-year-old could stick around as organizational depth in 2012.

Twins recalled C Rene Rivera from Triple-A Rochester.

Manager Ron Gardenhire wanted another catcher around with Joe Mauer banged up. The light-hitting Rivera has batted .181/.244/.264 in 78 at-bats for the Twins this season.

Updating a previous item, the Twins incorrectly had Rene Rivera listed on the lineup card in the clubhouse for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

There's no injury with Rivera, as the Twins intended to start Drew Butera behind the plate all along. He's batting eighth against left-hander Erik Bedard.

Rene Rivera was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup against the Mariners.

Rivera was on the original lineup card, but Drew Butera made the start, instead. No reason for the change, but we'll pass along an update as soon as it is made available by the team.

Twins purchased the contract of Rene Rivera from Triple-A Rochester.

The Twins grew tired of the lack of production they were getting from Steve Holm but will now carry an equally poor offensive player as Drew Butera's backup. Rivera hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2006 and has a hideous .583 OPS this season at Triple-A Rochester.