Rivera breaks leg in Venezuela

If the Angels did ever have another big bat to compliment Vladimir Guerrero, that bat has just been shattered. On Friday, outfielder Juan Rivera sustained a broken left tibia in a Venezuela Winter League game and will miss 3 to 8 months.

Rivera was injured while playing in a game for the Oriente Caribbeans against the Aragua Tigers in Maracay, Venezuela. According to the club, his left leg has been placed in a cast, and he will be flown to Miami, where he will be re-examined by a trauma specialist on Saturday.

Rivera had not played enough games last season for the Angels to block him from playing winter ball.

Last year, Rivera had a breakout season with the Halos. He recorded, a .310 batting average, 65 runs, 139 hits, 23 home runs and and 85 RBIs. His average ranked seventh among American League outfielders.