Rivera has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, suffered while chasing a batting practice fly ball near the center field wall this evening in Kansas City.David Robertson's will take over the closer spot and attempt to fill Rivera's HOF-sized shoes. “I don’t know if I’m prepared to do it or not," Robertson said when asked about his new role. "I’m going to go out there and give it my best.”
The torn ACL was diagnosed by the Royals’ team physicians after an MRI at an area hospital tonight. He will be evaluated by the Yankees’ team physicians in New York, but the club is not expecting a miracle — his season is almost certainly over.
Rivera acknowledged that his stellar, Hall of Fame caliber career may have also ended tonight on the warning track in Kansas City, playfully lunging for a line drive as he has done countless times before.
This is a crushing blow for the team and fans. This was supposed to be Mariano's farewell tour, and now it ends prematurely with a freak injury during batting practice. I don't really know what else to say besides I really hope this isn't the end for Mo.
Mo's postgame comments:
Here's some more reactions from the clubhouse.