Nationals claim 3B Carlos Rivero off waivers from Philadelphia

The Washington Nationals today claimed third baseman Carlos Rivero off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

The 6-foot-3 Rivero hit .275 with 36 doubles, 15 home runs and 66 RBI while spending a majority of the 2011 season with Double-A Reading. Rivero, 23, is a career .258 hitter with 146 doubles, 47 homers and 358 RBI in 720 games spanning seven seasons as a professional.

He was exclusively a shortstop until shifting to the hot corner upon joining the Phillies organization. Rivero originally signed with the Indians in 2005 as a non-drafted free agent. He was then claimed off waivers by the Phillies, Nov. 3, 2010.

With the addition of Rivero, the Nationals currently have 37 players on their 40-man roster.