Yankees Closer Mariano Rivera Wants to Pitch Again
Published at(NEW YORK) — The Yankees thought they had lost closer Mariano Rivera for the rest of the season with a knee injury, but Rivera has his sights on returning this season.
Rivera has been on the disabled list since he tore his ACL on May 3 after shagging fly balls in Kansas City. Dr. Keith Pyne, Rivera’s doctor, even told the New York Post that Rivera is ahead of schedule in his recovery.
“That’s my goal,” Rivera told The Michael Kay Show”on 98.7 FM ESPNNewYork. “I don’t think about it because if it doesn’t happen, I will be kind of like disappointed. I take it day by day. I’m working hard and doing what I do. …That’s the way I’m thinking, day by day and positive, definitely. Optimism, positive. Whatever the Lord will allow to happen, will happen.”
Rivera is Major League Baseball’s all-time saves leader with 608. This season, the 42-year old Rivera was 1-1 this season with five saves and a 2.16 ERA.
Even though Rivera is arguably the best ever at his position, his replacement Rafael Soriano, has 23 saves with just one blown save this season.