New York Yankees' fans continue to get good news with closer Mariano Rivera. After reporting for spring training following a season-ending knee injury, Rivera was seen going through team workouts and looking relatively healthy. Now, he has cleared another hurdle in his recovery, by throwing his first live batting practice session against hitters on Friday morning.
Rivera threw exactly 20 pitches to two hitters, Kyle Roller and Rob Segedin. He proclaimed that he was excited to be back on the mound and looking like his old self again.
Rivera's 2012 season ended on May 3 in a game against the Kansas City Royals. He was catching balls in the outfield when he tore his ACL in his right knee. This is a pregame ritual for Rivera, something he vows to continue doing even after the injury.
Rivera had thrown several bullpen sessions in camp and has taken part in all pitcher's fielding drills, but had yet to face hitters in a live situation. He approached it with enthusiasm as he called the first two pitches strikes from the mound.
"Basically, I just wanted to see the hitters, seeing how they swing at the ball and how they react to the pitches," Rivera said.
He knows the recovery is still an ongoing process, but Rivera believes the more he throws, the more it will get better. His concern now is not with his throwing, but with his ability to come off the mound quickly in game situations on his knee. He is still concerned with being able to cover first base and field bunts. The command in his pitching is still the same as it has always been.
Rivera is the all-time saves leader with 608. He normally does not begin playing in spring training games until the second half of the exhibition games start. Normally, he will throw six to eight innings to get ready for the start on the season.
Rivera recently made news for saying he is contemplating when he will retire. The 43-year old is looking to be able to spend more time with his family and being active in his community. He has told media he will announce his decision prior to Opening Day.
