Yankees Release First Baseman Juan Rivera

The New York Yankees have released first baseman Juan Rivera, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.

Rosenthal tweeted on Thursday:

The Yankees did sign first baseman Lyle Overbay this offseason, but there was still a chance for Rivera if he showed he could still hit. Unfortunately, after hitting .244 with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, the 34-year-old obviously didn't show enough this offseason to warrant a roster spot.

Rivera has had some big seasons in the past with the Los Angeles Angels. He hit .310 with 23 home runs and 85 RBI in 2006. Then in 2009, he hit .287 with 25 home runs, 88 RBI and 72 runs. However, he hasn't shown a whole lot the past three seasons, and he appeared to bottom out in 2012.

Overbay appears to be the Yankees' Opening Day starter now. The Yankees also added outfielders Vernon Wells and Brennan Boesch this offseason in hopes of compensating for injuries. Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Phil Hughes are all expected to begin the season on the disabled list. 

The Yankees went 95-67 last season, posting the best record in the American League, but they were ultimately swept by the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS. They scored 22 runs in nine postseason games, including two runs in their last three games against the Tigers.

There's a lot of gloom and doom circulating around New York, and for good reason. The injuries have been piling up.

The Yankees were hoping Rivera could be an asset offensively, but it ultimately didn't work out. Uncertainty continues to surround the club headed into the 2013 campaign.