Mariano Rivera considering retirement, according to report

After ending his 2012 season early due to injury, the Yankees closer originally indicated he'd be back in 2013. Now, he's reportedly considering retirement.

Mariano Rivera Injury Update: Yankees Closer Remaining Positive For 2012 Return

Mariano Rivera remains optimistic that he can return to the New York Yankees during the 2012 season after tearing his ACL shagging fly balls in May. On Monday he spoke with ESPN Radio's Michael Kay and said that a comeback in September is not out of the question.

"That's my goal," Rivera said. "Definitely, that's my goal. I'm not thinking about it, because if it doesn't happen, I will be disappointed. So I'm taking it day by day. I'm working hard and doing what I'm supposed to do. I don't want to put something in my mind.

"I want to make sure that I do my things first. That's what I'm doing, that's the way I'm thinking. Day by day, positive, optimism. Whatever the Lord will allow to happen, that will happen."

Doctors have been very impressed with Rivera's recovery, and the closer himself says he feels good. If he can begin running and throwing at the end of July, Rivera could be in line for a late season return.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York for more information about Rivera's injury.

Mariano Rivera Injury Update: Could Yankees Closer Make 2012 Return?

For most players, a return from an ACL tear can be a long and tough process. That's why many thought that New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera would chose not to come back for the 2013 season.

Those who thought the future Hall-of-Famer was going to hang-up his cleats were wrong, and soon many could be wrong about the date of Rivera's return to the big leagues, says Joel Sherman of the New York Post:

For in our conversation yesterday, Pyne also said Rivera is "working his butt off," is well ahead of schedule in rehab and "is itching to get back."

He added, that Rivera "will be in the best position to accomplish that goal [pitching this year]. He’s got everything it takes to accomplish that. ... If I was putting money on it, I would put my money on Mo."

"You have to let the ACL scar down, it is just being cautious," Pyne said. "So right now we are establishing all the neuro-connections in his knee, foot and back going to the brain so that when he starts to load there are no complications. It is Dr. Altchek’s call he will tell us when [Rivera] can begin weight bearing. In the meantime we are getting him ready to accept load. Once you do that, that is the hard part and he is already ready to go. When you do that, when you get to load bearing, recovery time speeds up immensely."

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York for more information about Rivera's injury.

Mariano Rivera Injury Update: Yankees Closer Has Successful Knee Surgery

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera reportedly had successful surgery on his knee on Tuesday (via ESPN NY).

New York Mets team doctor, Dr. David Altchek, performed the surgery to repair Rivera's torn ACL in his right knee at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. No surgery was performed on Rivera's torn meniscus.

The Yankees said the surgery "went as planned." On Facebook and Twitter, Rivera said about the surgery on his knee, "My surgery was a success, it went perfectly. I am looking forward to beginning my rehab soon. Thanks as always for your prayers. God Bless."

Rivera, who is MLB's all-time leader in saves, injured his knee while shagging fly balls in pregame warmups before a game against the Royals on May 3. Rivera was pondering a return to the Yankees in 2013 even before the injury but vowed not to let the knee injury end his career. No timetable has been given on Rivera's recovery.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York in this StoryStream for more information about Rivera's status.

Mariano Rivera Injury Update: Yankees Closer Sets June 12 For Surgery Date

New York Yankees injured reliever Mariano Rivera finally has a June 12 date set for surgery on his knee. (via SI.com).

Rivera, 42, tore his ACL and damaged his meniscus while shagging flyballs on May 3 before a game against the Kansas City Royals. His surgery has been delayed because doctors were waiting for a blood clot in his right calf to clear up. That clot is now gone and Rivera is fit to have the surgery. There is no timetable set for his return after the surgery but Rivera did say that he intends on playing at the beginning of next season.

David Altchek, the New York Mets' team doctor, will perform the surgery on Rivera's knee.

Rivera is the MLB all-time leader in saves with 608.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York in this StoryStream for more information about Rivera's status.

Mariano Rivera Injury Update: Yankees Closer Still Hasn't Set Date For Surgery

Injured New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has yet to set a date for ACL surgery. Doctors are reportedly waiting for a blood clot in his right calf to clear and flexibility to increase. The Yankees closer walked around the clubhouse comfortably Tuesday, surprising manager Joe Girardi given the extent of the injury. Neither Rivera nor Girardi seemed worried about the wait to undergo surgery.

"It may take a little longer now, but from what I hear it may be shorter on the other side," Girardi said.

Rivera tore his ACL shagging fly balls before the Yankees' May 3 matchup against the Kansas City Royals. The legendary closer remains steadfast in his vow to return to the mound, despite murmurs at the time that the injury would be career ending for the 42-year-old.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York in this StoryStream for more information about Rivera's status.

Mariano Rivera Injury Update: Yankees Closer's 'Complications' Were A Blood Clot In His Right Calf

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was reported to have 'complications' stemming from his torn ACL which kept him from surgery. On Wednesday, Rivera revealed to reporters that his 'complications' were actually a blood clot in his right calf. Rivera has been put on blood thinners and stayed overnight at the hospital on Monday for observation (via Mark Feinsand's Twitter). Rivera said about the blood clot discovery

"I was scared. I've never heard good things about blood clots."

Rivera suffered the knee injury while shagging fly balls before a game against the Kansas City Royals on May 3. While there was some initial concern that Rivera's storied career might be over, he vowed a return following the injury. As it turns out, Rivera had been pondering a return for the 2013 season even before he hurt his knee (via Bryan Hoch's Twitter).

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York in this StoryStream for more information about Rivera's status.

Mariano Rivera Injury Update: 'Complications' That Have Slowed Surgery Not Expected To Be Serious

Mariano Rivera has experienced "complications" that have so far kept the New York Yankees closer from setting a date for surgery to repair his torn right ACL, his agent told the New York Post.

ESPN reports that the complications are not believed to be serious and should have "no bearing on Rivera's ability to have surgery and return from the injury."

Rivera injured himself last week, but surgery still has not been scheduled.

"We ran into complications,'' agent Fernando Cuza told the New York Post, explaining why surgery was not scheduled. "I am referring to Dr. Ahmad and Brian Cashman for further information.''

Cashman said, according to the Post: "I won't comment on that right now."

The Yankees are still trying to gather information after Rivera met with a specialist and a team physician.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York in this StoryStream for more information about Rivera's status.

Mariano Rivera Injury: Joe Torre Says 'I Don't Think There Was Anyone More Important' To Yankees Postseason Success

As a long-time manager of the New York Yankees, Joe Torre had a front-row seat to many of Mariano Rivera's finest moments. Now, with Rivera sidelined by a freak torn ACL suffered while shagging fly balls in the outfield, Torre took some time with ESPN radio in New York to reflect on Rivera's career.

Rivera, 42, vows to return after recovering from surgery. But even if he doesn't, Torre considers the closer the most important player to New York's several title runs, and one of the finest pitchers ever.

Per Sports Radio Interviews:

"During the course of the season your players that play every day are probably more valuable but when you get into the postseason, that last inning is so valuable, those last three outs. I laugh because I have been listening to the radio today -- and I've laughed at some people when it's suggested that he may be not only one of the best relievers but maybe one of the best pitchers, and they say ‘well you only pitch one inning so how can you be that?' Those last three outs unless you sit in the dugout or you've watched it for years, Michael, those last three outs are like gold. I don't think there's any question of how valuable he was and in the postseason I don't think there was anyone more important."

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York in this StoryStream for more information about Rivera's status.

Mariano Rivera Injury: Comeback This Season 'Very Unlikely,' Says Doctor

Mariano Rivera vows to come back to the New York Yankees, even after tearing his ACL Thursday while shagging fly balls in the outfield. But a doctor told the New York Post that Rivera's comeback, should it happen at all, is "very unlikely" to occur this season.

"To come back this season is very unlikely," said Dr. David Geier, Director of Sports Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. "Spring training or a little before is probably the best-case scenario."

If he does return to the Major Leagues, Rivera might not remain the invincible closer everyone's used to. But his age shouldn't be a factor in his recovery.

"There's an excellent chance he could come back, but there are going to be reservations about whether he'll be at the same elite level," Geier said Friday.

"It shouldn't matter if someone is in their 40s or 20s," Gladstone said. "It is a long, tedious rehab. But he's going to go through the same rehab even if he doesn't continue playing. And the fact that he is such a disciplined athlete portends well for a successful recovery."

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York in this StoryStream for more information about Rivera's status.

Mariano Rivera Injury: Yankees Closer Vows Return, Says 'I'm Coming Back, Write It Down In Big Letters'

New York Yankees longtime closer Mariano Rivera went down with a torn ACL shagging fly balls before Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals. After the ACL diagnosis, one had to expect that Rivera's career could be coming to an end.

Rivera sought to end that speculation when speaking to reporters on Friday.

"I'm coming back. Write it down in big letters. I'm not going out like this." - Mariano Rivera to reporters today. (via Yankees Twitter).

Rivera also tweeted about his future comeback on Friday:

Thank you fans, friends and family for your prayers, well wishes and support. I will be ok.I will be back.

— Mariano Rivera (@MarianoRivera) May 4, 2012

Rivera, 42, appeared in nine games for the Yankees in 2012. His was 1-1 with an ERA of 2.16 and five saves in six opportunities. He struck out eight batters and walked two in 8.1 innings of relief.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York in this StoryStream for more information about Rivera's status.

No fear, no quit in the Great Rivera

It can’t end this way. It really can’t. This is about the greatest closer the game of baseball has ever seen or will ever see ending the career of a lifetime on his terms. And if there’s anyone up for the challenge, who has the heart and guts to accept the mission of coming back from a torn ACL and complete it, it’s Mariano Rivera.

http://www.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120504&content_id=30370968&oid=36019

Mariano Rivera Injury: Yankees Options For Replacing Rivera

Mariano Rivera Injury Reaction: Is Yankees Closer's Career Over?

The legendary Yankees closer, Mariano Rivera, suffered a torn ACL while shagging fly balls prior to Thursday's game against the Royals. The 42-year-old's surefire Hall of Fame career could be over. Here's a look at various reactions to Rivera's injury, the morning after.

Clubhouse reaction, from ESPN New York:

JOE GIRARDI: "This is bad, no question about it. You lose a Hall of Famer. That changes it a lot. The depth of our bullpen just got a little bit shorter because of the injury. But good teams find a way to overcome things. We got to find a way to get through it. It's not what you want, but it's not season over.''

DAVID ROBERTSON: "I don't know if I'm prepared to (replace Rivera) or not. I'm going to go out there and give it everything I've got, and hope for the best. I'm not Mariano Rivera, I'm not going to be able to go out there and get outs real quickly. I'm a different style of pitcher. I've never done it, so all I can do is say I'm going to try real hard."

Wallace Matthews, from ESPN New York:

Now, I think the same qualities that made Rivera the quintessential closer will drive him to start all over again.

[snip]

... If it is merely a question of hard work, of wanting it so bad you are willing to sweat blood all winter to make it happen, then you have to figure he has a better-than-average shot [of coming back], even at 43 years old, an age he will reach on his next birthday.

Mark Feinsand, from Blogging The Bombers, at the Daily News:

That's pretty much all you need to know about Rivera. Not ony is he the greatest pitcher I have watched in my 12 years on the beat, but he's also probably the best person I have met in baseball. Seeing him crumble on the warning track clutching his knee was difficult to watch, and I have to think that any baseball fan - Yankees fan, Red Sox fan or anything in between - had to feel the same way.

Rob Neyer, from Baseball Nation:

Of course, Rivera had sort of hinted this spring that this season would be his last ... But who's to know he wouldn't have changed his mind at some point? Or that his goal was to go out on top, having put together another brilliant season? I won't believe that we've seen the last of Mariano Rivera until Mariano Rivera says, with some conviction, that he's not interested in pitching again.

-- See Pinstripe Alley for more reaction

Mariano Rivera Injury Reaction: Can It Really End This Way?

[VIDEO] Mariano Rivera Reacts To Torn ACL

An obviously emotional Mariano Rivera said "I don't know" when asked about his future following the news that he will be lost for the season to the New York Yankees after suffering a torn ACL and meniscus. Rivera suffered the injury shagging fly balls Thursday prior to the team's game in Kansas City. [Full transcript via Star-Ledger]

Here are a couple of excerpts from Rivera's post-game meeting with reporters:

Did you think it was going to be that serious?

No, I thought it wasn't that bad I was walking a little bit but, um, no it's torn. I have to fix it.

You're out there every day shagging fly balls...

I don't want to have it any other way, if I'm going to have it happen like that, well at least it happened doing what I love to do and shagging (fly balls), I love to do. If I had to do it all over again, I would do it again no hesitation. There are reasons why it happens, you have to take it the way it is and fight, fight through it. Now we just have to fight, just fight.

What have doctors told you?

I haven't talked to the doctors yet, I just talked to the doctors here but I haven't talked to the doctors in New York...I just want to think, pray a little before I make a decision, so whatever happens....

Regarding your future?

At this point I don't know, at this point I don't know. We have to face this first.

-- See Pinstripe Alley for more reaction

Mariano Rivera Injury: Yankees Closer Suffered Torn ACL, Joe Girardi Confirms

The worst has been confirmed for New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera. Following the Yankees' 4-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night, manager Joe Girardi clarified that Rivera indeed suffered a torn ACL while shagging fly balls prior to the game.

Oof RT @BloggingBombers: Girardi on Rivera: "it appears he has a torn ACL"

— SB Nation (@sbnation) May 4, 2012

The initial diagnosis of the injury was a "twisted knee," though the actual video of the injury hinted at much worse. Rivera crumpled to the ground on the warning track after oddly planting his foot while chasing a ball hit over his shoulder.

Rivera was examined immediately by the Royals' team physician before being sent in for MRIs. The injury likely means the veteran closer is out for the year barring an astonishingly fast recovery and a World Series run by the Yankees.

See Pinstripe Alley for more discussion and analysis of the Yankees. Check back with SB Nation New York for more information about Rivera's injury.

Mariano Rivera Injury Update: 'Twisted Knee' Is Initial Diagnosis

The initial report on the knee injury suffered by Mariano Rivera is a "twisted knee." Rivera, the great New York Yankees closer, was reportedly examined immediately after suffering the injury by Dr. Dr. Joe Nolan, a Kansas City Royals team physician, and is being sent for an MRI during the Yankees game Thursday against the Royals.

Mariano examined by KC physician ... Twisted right knee ... Going for MRI #yankees

— Meredith Marakovits (@M_Marakovits) May 3, 2012

Rivera was injured while shagging fly balls during pre-game warmups, as the video below shows.

Several of the Yankee beat reporters at the game noted that shagging fly balls is something Rivera, 42, has done prior to nearly every Yankees game during his career.

Rivera is 1-1 with a 2.16 ERA in nine games this season and has five saves. He is baseball's all-time saves leader with 608 for his career.

The Yankees, and Yankee fans everywhere, can only hope that Rivera's injury is not worse than the initial diagnosis. We will keep you posted as the story develops.

Mariano Rivera Injury: Yankees Closer Injures Knee While Shagging Fly Balls

Mariano Rivera went down before Thursday's game against the Royals with a knee injury sustained during batting practice.