Rivera makes his professional debut with the Bears in 2010. He spent 2009 with Kean University, where he went 5-0 with a 3.12 ERA and a save in 13 appearances, including 6 starts. Prior to Kean, the 23-year-old played two seasons at NJIT, where he recorded five wins, six saves and struck out 60 in 56.1 innings. Rivera is originally from Elizabeth, New Jersey.