He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, and Washington Nationals.

He made his Major League debut September 22, 2004, playing in two games for the Mariners that season as a late-inning replacement.

Rivera shared catching duties with Pat Borders in June and was optioned back to San Antonio when Olivo returned.

Rivera was one of the final players cut from the roster in 2006 spring training and began the year at Triple-A.

[2] He was back with the Mariners by mid-April and served as a back-up to Kenji Johjima for the remainder of the season, batting .152 in 99 at-bats over 35 games.

During the off-season, the Mariners weighed the benefits of allowing the young catcher to develop his hitting in the minor leagues against his providing limited offense in a back-up role in the Majors.

[3] In 2007, Rivera played for the Mariners Double-A affiliate, the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, batting .214 in 91 games.

On November 22, 2007, Rivera signed a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

While at Jacksonville, Rivera began playing some first base, along with catcher, and was promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas on June 3.

[6] He was brought up from Triple-A to provide back-up to Drew Butera, who was the Twins' primary catcher with Joe Mauer on the disabled list.

Rivera was granted free agency at the end of the 2011 season, but re-signed with the Twins on a minor league deal and an invitation to spring training.

Rivera was displeased with the Twins when he was passed over and they called up catcher Chris Herrmann from Double-A to add depth in September.

He was recalled from the Triple-A Tucson Padres on July 7, 2013, to replace Yasmani Grandal, who was placed on the disabled list.

[12] Rivera became the personal catcher for Andrew Cashner during the season[13] and picked up more starts once Nick Hundley was traded in late May.

He started for the Mets in their Wild Card game against the San Francisco Giants, going 1 for 3 and throwing out Denard Span.

[25] Rivera only appeared in 2 games for the Mets before undergoing season ending surgery to remove a bone spur from his left elbow.

[36] Rivera is married to Mariel Perez, daughter of Eddie 'La Bala' Pérez, a founding member of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico.