Legendary Yankees player experiences Achilles tear during Old-Timers' match
Mariano Rivera, the legendary Hall of Fame closer for the New York Yankees, suffered a severe injury during the Old-Timers' Day game at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. The 55-year-old pitching icon was forced to crumble to the ground in center field, presumably due to a torn Achilles tendon.
The injury occurred during a pop-up on the infield grass. Rivera, who had plans to speak with Yankees reliever Devin Williams before the game, apparently thought the ball was headed his way. Roger Clemens, reporting the news during a live WFAN broadcast, stated that Rivera's injury is likely worse than initially thought, initially believing it to be a hamstring injury.
Rivera's agent confirmed the injury to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. The severity of the injury was initially unknown after the Yankees' 5-4 win over the Astros. Rivera's agent did not provide further details about the recovery timeline.
Achilles tendon tears typically require surgical repair followed by an extended period of rehabilitation. While specific recovery details for Rivera have not been publicly detailed, recovery from an Achilles rupture can usually take several months, often between six to twelve months for an athlete to return to full activity, especially one of Rivera's age.
This injury marks a setback for Rivera, who previously suffered a torn ACL in his right knee in May 2012 while shagging fly balls. Despite this, he successfully returned to pitch for a final season in 2013 before retiring.
Throughout his illustrious career, Rivera won five championships in pinstripes and holds the record for the most saves in baseball history (652). He is the first and only player to be voted into the Hall of Fame unanimously and was an All-Star 13 times with the Yankees.
The Old-Timers' Day game was the first showdown between Yankees greats in the Bronx since 2019. Rivera's injury cast a shadow over the event, but fans and teammates alike will be hoping for a speedy and full recovery for this beloved Yankees legend.
Mariano Rivera, the legendary pitcher, was injured during a pop-up play in the Old-Timers' Day game, suffering a tear in his Achilles tendon, which is typically a severe injury requiring surgery and an extended rehabilitation period. As a result, Rivera, known for his baseball prowess that includes a record-breaking 652 saves, may need several months to recover from this setback, especially considering his age and previous knee injury.
