Newly-minted Chicago Cubs’ backstop Rene Rivera made his major league debut in 2004 with the Seattle Mariners. Making only three plate appearances that year, Rivera received just 50 more in 2005 and did not exceed rookie status until the 2006 season.
After posting a slash line of .152/.184/.253 in 35 games for the Mariners in 2006, Rivera headed to the minors where he stayed until the 2011 season. Rivera reemerged in the big leagues with the Minnesota Twins at the age of 27. In just 45 games for the Twins, Rivera hit .144 with one home run and five RBI.