New York Yankees' Mariano Rivera throws in the bullpen during a workout at baseball spring training, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Say it ain't so, Mo!
New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said he's reached a decision on whether this will be his final season and plans to announce it before opening day.
"Yes, I have," Rivera said Wednesday after the Yankees' first spring training workout for pitchers and catchers. "But again, I will tell you guys when I think it's the right moment."
Baseball's career saves leader had surgery June 12 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, an injury that occurred while he was shagging fly balls during batting practice in Kansas City on May 3.
The 43-year-old right-hander expects to be ready for the regular season. He threw 25 pitches off a bullpen mound and said it felt good.
"It was wonderful to be out there again," Rivera said.
When asked on a scale of one to 10 how the knee currently is, Rivera said, "around nine, for sure."
He added: "The other point will be the running that I do here."
Rivera wore a small, light-weight brace during Wednesday's workout, which had him also take part in fielding drills, including covering first base. He is planning to use a brace in games this year.
Rivera will continue shagging fly balls in batting practice, an activity that has the approval of Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
"That's part of who he is," Girardi said. "So, I don't want to take it away from him."
Rivera will likely pitch his normal seven or eight innings in spring training games, but could throw additional batting practice sessions or simulated games.
"We really don't have a whole lot of restrictions on Mo," Girardi said. "We will watch him carefully to make sure that we don't think he's taxing it too much. We feel pretty good about where he's at."
Based on reporting by The Associated Press.
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