11:17 am CT: Boston confirmed the deal at the press desk.
10:34 am CT: Boston ships left‑hander Eduardo Rivera to St. Louis, SoxProspects.com’s Andrew Parker says, while acquiring right‑hander Juan Garcia.
Designated on Monday amid a 40‑man roster shuffle, Rivera had solid minor‑league numbers but faltered in his limited big‑league stint last season. With no roster spot left, Boston cut ties, sending him to a Cardinals bullpen that still seeks reliable left‑hand depth.
Boston drafted Rivera in the 11th round of 2021, grooming him as both starter and reliever. The 23‑year‑old opened 2026 at Double‑A, surrendered a lone run over two starts and earned a promotion. He posted a 2.96 ERA across 45 2⁄3 innings in Worcester, mostly from the pen. For my money, his versatility makes him a valuable swing‑vote for any staff.
Rivera earned his first big‑league call in late April, delivering 3 1⁄3 scoreless frames against New York. The effort wasn’t enough to stick, and he waited until July for another chance, flashing 3 2⁄3 shutout innings versus the Mets before the All‑Star break. He later surrendered seven earned runs in three innings over his final two outings, and a lumbar strain sidelined him in mid‑August.
St. Louis signed 18‑year‑old Garcia as an international free agent from Mexico in 2025. He spent two seasons in the Dominican Summer League, posting a 4.40 ERA over 11 starts in 2026. Strikeout totals were modest, yet he issued only 10 walks across 43 innings. Can Garcia develop into a reliable arm for the Cardinals?