Ben Rivera Back In CPBL

Yes, that's right. Ben Rivera is back in the Chinese Professional Baseball League. Remember him? The 35 year old right hander went all the way to the World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1993 and pitched three seasons in the Major Leagues, posting a 23-17 record with a 4.53 ERA in 67 GP (49 GS, 318.0 IP). In 1997, Rivera also pitched in the CPBL with the China Trust Whales where he went 5-5-0 with 19 saves in 49 GP (86.0 IP). So far with the Makoto Cobras, he's 0-1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 2 GP (3.0 IP).

Before joining the Cobras, Rivera pitched in Mexico with the Mexico Diablos Rojos and the Vaqueros Alguna. Combined, he went 1-2 with 10 saves and a 6.30 ERA in 20 GP (20.0 IP). His poor outings with the Rojos spoiled his stats. With Alguna alone, Rivera had a 3.50 ERA in 16 GP.

The Cobras also signed a 31 year old third baseman by the name of Pedro Santana. He's hitting .250 in two games thus far. With the Oaxaca Guerreros of the Mexican League, Santana was hitting .313 with 10 HRs and 54 RBIs through 97 games. The two will join Kleber Ojima as the maximum number of foreigners allowed under CPBL rules.

By the way, Ojima is continuing a spectacular season with a 2.21 ERA in 21 GP (130.1 IP).

[Addition: Ben Rirvera also played for the Hanshin Tigers in 1998-9. I'll add his Japanese stats later tonight.]