Current Contract:
Signed through 2006.

Became a Cardinal:
Signed to a minor league contract on November 14, 2005.

2005 Season:
Nivar went to camp with the Baltimore Orioles in 2005 and split his time primarily between Double-A and Triple-A, playing centerfield. He hit just .198 at the latter stop. Nivar also got 13 at-bats with the big club during 2005.

Career Notes:
Nivar was signed by the Texas Rangers as a non-drafted free agent in 1998. The Dominican Republic native has stolen as many as 39 bases in the minors and was named the Rangers’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2003 after hitting .345 between stops at Double-A and Triple-A.

Nivar made the Rangers’ opening day roster in 2004, where he also saw time in the outfield. After 18 at-bats, he was returned to the minors before April was out and remained there for the rest of the season.

MISC:
Nickname is "Ito".

Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images