CHICAGO — Felipe Rivero, the Pirates' closer who signed a four-year, $22 million contract extension this offseason, has legally changed his name to Felipe Vazquez, a Pirates spokesperson confirmed to DKPittsburghSports.com on Monday night.
Rivero, 26, changed his name to take the last name of his sister, Prescilla, who also serves as his advisor. Rivero told reporters at PiratesFest in December his sister was the one who decided he should drop Scott Boras as his agent, switching to Francis Marquez of Magnus Sports.
The Pirates were made aware of Rivero's decision to change his name and are now working through the process of having the change of his last name reflected in Major League Baseball. It will be reflected on his jersey as soon as possible, possibly as soon as the Pirates' game against the Cubs on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
Rivero released this statement on Twitter Monday night:
I want to apologize to all the fans that brought stuff with my name.. and saw all this happen but since was a long process I was not able to say anything till was actually approved.. my apologies to y’all...
— Felipe Vázquez (@Rivero43) April 10, 2018
The Post-Gazette's Liz Bloom was the first to report Rivero's name change.
Rivero signed a four-year, $22 million extension with the Pirates this offseason after he took over the closer's role for the club last season. He had a 1.67 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 21 saves with 88 strikeouts to 20 walks for the club in 2017. He began the season pitching the sixth, seventh or eighth inning before emerging as the club's closer in June, and he has held onto that role in 2018.
Although Rivero has allowed four earned runs this season, he has thrown three consecutive scoreless innings with six strikeouts. Prescilla also had a hand in negotiating Rivero's contract this offseason, which was finalized in January. Rivero can become a free agent following the 2021 season, but he has team options for the following two years at $10 million each season.
The Pirates are scheduled to give away a Felipe Rivero bobblehead on Sept. 8 at PNC Park prior to a game against the Marlins. Signage around the ballpark, as well as jerseys and shirts already made, also reflect Vazquez's former legal name.
