From
Matt Ehalt:
Injured New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera said Monday that he hopes to pitch again this season.
Rivera has been on the disabled list since May 4 after tearing his right ACL while shagging balls prior to a game against Kansas City.
"That's my goal," Rivera said Monday on "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, though, would not definitely say he will be returning in September for the pennant push.
"I don't know," Rivera said. "I can't answer that. I don't know. I want to, I want to be there now, but if there is any chance, only God knows."
Mo sounds optimistic, but he's alone on this. basically nobody else does:
The New York Post reported Yankees general manager Brian Cashman as saying: "in terms of 2012, he's out."
Yankees manager Joe Girardi has also said the team doesn't believe Rivera will return this year.
Even Dr. Keith Pyne, who told the Post that Rivera is ahead of schedule in his recovery, said at the moment the closer would not be returning.
"Right now, he's shut down until next year," Pyne told the pape
It would obviously be a great story, but I think this is all just wishful thinking on Mo's part. But then again it's Mo, so who knows.
