Legendary pitcher Mariano Rivera sustains a ruptured Achilles tendon during the Yankees Old-Timers' Day match
Mariano Rivera Suffers Torn Achilles Tendon During Yankees' Old-Timers' Day
In a shocking turn of events, legendary New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera sustained a torn Achilles tendon during the club's Old-Timers' Day game on Saturday, 10th August, 2025. The incident occurred while Rivera was attempting to track down a popup in the field.
The injury is known to require a lengthy recovery period, often involving surgery and rehabilitation. However, it's important to note that this injury did not impact Rivera's participation or performance in the 2023 MLB season, as it occurred notably later in 2025.
Roger Clemens, a former teammate of Rivera, broke the news of the injury on WFAN radio. The Old-Timers' game and the Yankees' regular game took place on the same day at Yankee Stadium, commemorating the Yankees' 2000 World Series championship. Notable figures from the title team who participated included Mariano Rivera, Roger Clemens, and Joe Torre, the latter serving as the manager of the Yankees during the championship season.
Throughout his 19 seasons with the Yankees, Rivera used his signature cutter to put up an impressive ERA of 2.21 and record a record 652 saves. Before the injury, during the preceding half inning, Rivera had even managed to hit a single off Andy Pettitte. Rivera's achievements earned him 13 All-Star selections during his career.
Despite the unfortunate injury, the Yankees managed to secure a win against the Houston Astros by a score of 5-4. Rivera's agent, Fernando Cuza, confirmed the injury to The Athletic. Rivera, who was first signed by the Yankees out of Panama to a $2,000 bonus in 1990, is considered the greatest closer in the history of the game and was unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Yankees Old-Timers' Day game had not been held since 2019, making this year's event a much-anticipated occasion. The Yankees and their fans will undoubtedly hope for a swift and successful recovery for their beloved Mariano Rivera.
[1] It's important to note that the article was written in 2025, and the 2023 MLB season had already concluded at the time of the injury.
[2] The injury sustained by Mariano Rivera during the Yankees' Old-Timers' Day game was a torn Achilles tendon, an incident that will likely require a lengthy recovery period.
[3] Prior to the injury, in the preceding half inning, Rivera had even managed to win a game with a hit off Andy Pettitte.
[4] In the season before his injury, Rivera had earned 13 All-Star selections during his career, cementing his place as one of the greatest closers in the history of MLB.
[5] Despite Rivera's injury, the Yankees managed to secure a win against the Houston Astros by a score of 5-4.
[6] On that same day at Yankee Stadium, the Old-Timers' game, commemorating the Yankees' 2000 World Series championship, featured notable figures such as Mariano Rivera, Roger Clemens, and Joe Torre.
