CHICAGO -- Veteran catcher Rene Rivera has joined the Chicago Cubs and is in the starting lineup for their series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The NL Central leaders were awarded Rivera on a waiver claim from the New York Mets on Saturday. Rookie catcher Victor Caratini was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday to make room on the 25-man roster.

The Cubs lost catcher Willson Contreras to a hamstring injury on Aug. 9. They got Alex Avila in a trade with Detroit last month, but the acquisition of Rivera gives them more insurance at the position.

The 34-year-old Rivera is known for his defensive skills. He hit .230 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 54 games with New York.