ALFONSO RIVAS NEWS

Not in lineup for Game 1 Rivas isn't starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Cardinals.

Impact Although right-hander Johan Oviedo is starting for the Cardinals in Saturday's matinee, Rivas will take a seat for the second time in the last three games. Frank Schwindel will shift to first base while Clint Frazier serves as the designated hitter.

JUNE 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine against southpaw Rivas isn't starting Thursday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Rivas drew two starts against left-handed pitchers over the last three games, but he'll get a breather with southpaw Matthew Liberatore on the mound for the Cardinals on Thursday. Frank Schwindel is shifting to first base while P.J. Higgins takes over behind the dish.

JUNE 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Burger gets game-winning hit as White Sox beat Cubs 5-4

Jake Burger atoned for a costly error with a game-ending RBI single in the 12th inning, and the banged-up Chicago White Sox topped the Chicago Cubs 5-4 in a wild finale to the seas...

MAY 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting versus righty Rivas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Impact Even with a right-hander (Dylan Cease) toeing the rubber for the White Sox, the lefty-hitting Rivas will find himself on the bench in the series finale. Rivas has gone 0-for-8 over the Cubs' past two games to drop his average for May down to .148, and he could be in danger of losing out on a regular spot in the lineup once the Cubs return Jason Heyward (illness) from the COVID-19-related injured list and Nick Madrigal (back) from the 10-day IL.

MAY 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Schwindel hits 2 homers, Cubs power past Reds 11-4

Frank Schwindel homered twice in a game for the first time in his career, Marcus Stroman recovered from a rough start to pitch five effective innings, and the Chicago Cubs rolled p...

MAY 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Late addition to lineup Rivas is starting at first base and batting seventh Tuesday against the Reds, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact The 25-year-old was absent from Chicago's initial lineup, but he'll join the starting ninth with Tuesday's designated hitter, Yan Gomes, a late scratch with an oblique issue. Rivas is 3-for-26 with 12 strikeouts across his past 10 games.

MAY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sits amid slump Rivas is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game in Cincinnati.

Impact The slumping Rivas will take a seat for the second time in four games Tuesday, even with the platoon advantage being in his favor with right-hander Tyler Mahle toeing the rubber for Cincinnati. Since the start of May, Rivas is slashing .130/.273/.217 with a 40 percent strikeout rate.

MAY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Wisdom, Schwindel homer as Cubs rally past Diamondbacks 5-4

Patrick Wisdom and Frank Schwindel hit consecutive homers against Ian Kennedy in the eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 to avoid a four-game seri...

MAY 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Takes seat Saturday Rivas isn't starting Saturday against Arizona.

Impact Rivas has gone 0-for-11 with a run, two walks and six strikeouts over the last four games, and he'll get a breather with left-hander Madison Bumgarner starting for the Diamondbacks on Saturday. Frank Schwindel will start at first base while Willson Contreras serves as the designated hitter.

MAY 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Thursday Rivas isn't starting Thursday against Arizona.

Impact Right-hander Zac Gallen is starting for the Diamondbacks on Thursday, but Rivas will get a day off after going 0-for-6 with a run, two walks and three strikeouts over the last two games. Frank Schwindel will start at first base while Yan Gomes enters the lineup behind the dish.

MAY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sits against southpaw Rivas isn't starting Monday's game against the Pirates.

Impact Rivas will take a seat for the second time in the last three games since left-hander Dillon Peters is on the mound for Pittsburgh on Monday. Frank Schwindel will start at first base and bat cleanup.

MAY 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not in lineup Rivas will sit Saturday against Arizona.

Impact Rivas appears to have moved into the large side of a platoon role at first base, but he'll sit here even with righty Zac Gallen on the mound for Arizona. Frank Schwindel starts at first base.

MAY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs rookie Alfonso Rivas inspiring confidence in both bat and glove Cubs first baseman Alfonso Rivas had two game-tying hits in San Diego, his hometown.

MAY 12, 2022 • SUNTIMES.COM

Drives in two Wednesday Rivas went 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

Impact Rivas got off to a scorching hot start to the season, though he had cooled down some to begin May. Before Wednesday's contest, the 25-year-old was batting just .118 this month with nine strikeouts in seven games. Rivas still seems to be on the strong side of a first-base platoon with Frank Schwindel, but the former could lose playing time if he cools down too much.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rivas' key hit vs hometown Padres lifts Cubs to 7-5 win

Alfonso Rivas hit a tiebreaking two-run single against his hometown team in the eighth inning, and the banged-up Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres 7-5

MAY 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Machado, Padres beat Cubs 5-4 in Clevinger's return

Manny Machado hit a go-ahead double in the sixth inning and the San Diego Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 5-4 hours after finding out manager Bob Melvin will have prostate surgery

MAY 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cubs' Rivas gets HR when ball bounces out of rookie's glove

Alfonso Rivas of the Chicago Cubs got a two-run homer when his fly ball to deep center field bounced out of the glove of rookie Jose Azocar and went over the fence

MAY 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

On bench against lefty Rivas will sit Monday against the Padres, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact Rivas hasn't started against a southpaw all season, a trend which will continue here against MacKenzie Gore. Frank Schwindel will get the start at first base.

MAY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on bench for nightcap Rivas will remain on the bench for the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Dodgers.

Impact The Cubs' commitment to keeping Rivas out of the lineup against lefties apparently outweighs their desire to avoid having too many players start twice in one day. Rivas was on the bench against southpaw Clayton Kershaw in the first game of the day and will remain there against Tyler Anderson in the nightcap. Frank Schwindel remains the starter at first base.

MAY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat against southpaw Rivas isn't starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Dodgers.

Impact Rivas led off in the last three games and went 1-for-9 with a run, two walks and six strikeouts. Frank Schwindel will shift to first base while Yan Gomes serves as the designated hitter against left-hander Clayton Kershaw in Saturday's matinee.

MAY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Seizing hold of everyday role Rivas will start at first base and bat leadoff in Tuesday's game against the White Sox.

Impact Rivas will be making his second straight start out of the leadoff spot after going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Brewers. He'll also be making his fourth start in the past five games, signaling that he's moved into a near-everyday role at first base. Frank Schwindel has seen more opportunities at designated hitter as a result, making Rafael Ortega the primary loser with Rivas' role increasing.

MAY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Productive from leadoff spot Rivas went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Brewers.

Impact The Cubs found just enough offense to win against Milwaukee ace Corbin Burnes, and Rivas helped lead the way from the leadoff spot. The 25-year-old has been a pleasant surprise so far this season with a .429 batting average and 1.139 OPS through nine games. Rivas has started three of the team's last four contests, with the exception being a Saturday matchup against Brewers' lefty Eric Lauer. A first-base platoon seems to be forming in Chicago, with the left-handed hitting Rivas on the strong side. Frank Schwindel will likely be the preferred option against southpaws and can also serve as the DH when Rivas starts, which was the alignment Sunday.

MAY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Stroman outpitches Burnes, Cubs beat Brewers to avoid sweep

Marcus Stroman threw two-hit ball for seven innings, outpitching Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes and leading the Chicago Cubs over the Milwaukee Brewers 2-0

MAY 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reaches twice, scores Thursday Rivas went 0-for-1 with two walks and a run scored in Thursday's 5-1 loss to Atlanta.

Impact Rivas batted sixth and provided Chicago's lone run in this one. The 25-year-old is off to a great start with a .462 average and 1.332 OPS across 13 at-bats. Those numbers are certain to come down, but Rivas is at least making a case for more playing time. As a left-handed hitter, he could push his way into a platoon at first base with righty Frank Schwindel.

APRIL 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Explodes in blowout win Rivas went 3-for-6 with a three-run home run and five total RBI in Saturday's win over the Pirates.

Impact The Cubs exploded for 21 runs, but Rivas hit the only home run for Chicago in the second inning. It was the first long ball of the season for the 25-year-old, who now has a robust 1.182 OPS, albeit in just 11 at-bats. The regular playing time isn't there yet for Rivas, but he could potentially earn an expanded role at some point.

APRIL 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE