Luis Rivas

Luis Wilfredo Rivas (born August 30, 1979) is a Venezuelan former Major League Baseball infielder. He played for the Minnesota Twins from 2000 to 2005, Cleveland Indians in 2007, and Pittsburgh Pirates in 2008. He batted and threw right-handed.

Rivas was known to be a free-swinging hitter who will offer at almost any pitch often putting it in play. As a runner, he has good speed and is aggressive on the basepaths. Defensively, Rivas had soft hands, a great arm and good range. He turned the double play well, and was also competent ranging back on pop-ups.

From 2000 to 2004, Rivas posted a .262 batting average with 29 home runs and 165 RBI in 506 games. After the 2005 All-Star break, Minnesota optioned Rivas to Triple-A Rochester. Once thought of as the Twins' second baseman of the future, Rivas never developed into the type of consistent hitter needed. He was recalled, and then again sent back down on October 4 after the season had ended.

In 2006, Rivas played for the Durham Bulls of the International League. He hit a disappointing .218 with an OPS of .540. He signed a Minor League contract with the Cleveland Indians for the 2007 season. He hit .263 for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in 105 games. He earned a big league call-up on September 1, when rosters expand. In December 2007, Rivas signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In January 2009, Rivas signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.