Phils claim infielder Rivero off waivers

The Phillies on Wednesday claimed infielder Carlos Rivero off waivers from the Cleveland Indians.

Rivero, who will turn 23 in May, spent the last two seasons playing shortstop at double-A Akron in the Cleveland farm system. In 2010, he hit .232 with six home runs and 43 RBIs. He made 28 errors in 107 games at short.

He will likely provide depth in the middle infield at the top of the Phillies' system, an area that is thin.

Last season, the Phillies used Brian Bocock in a similar role. Bocock spent most of the season at triple-A Lehigh Valley but appeared in six games for the Phillies. He remains on the Phils' 40-man roster, which stands at 34 players.

Two other players who spent time in triple A during the 2010 season will have to be added to the 40-man roster before the winter meetings in December or they will be exposed for selection in the Rule 5 draft.

First baseman Matt Rizzotti and pitcher Joe Savery have both been in the organization for four years and could be taken by another team.

After a breakout season in which he advanced three levels in the Phillies' system, the 24-year-old Rizzotti is hitting .410 in 10 games for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League.

Savery, a former first-round draft pick, was 1-12 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.61 WHIP at triple-A Lehigh Valley. He played as a designated hitter toward the end of the season and hit .348 in 46 at-bats with the IronPigs. During Florida Instructional League play in October, Savery focused solely on his hitting and the Phillies came away impressed.

Assistant general manager Chuck LaMar said the team had not yet decided whether Savery will completely give up pitching. If he does, he will likely start the season on a lower-level team. - Matt Gelb