Rivera hurts knee, carted off field

Mariano Rivera— who has dropped hints that this will be his last season— was carted off the field before Thursday night's game after suffering a knee injury while shagging fly balls during batting practice at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Rivera was going back for a fly ball— which he has done before games hundreds of times— when his right knee buckled underneath him and he crashed to the warning track holding his right knee. Mo was helped to his feet by manager Joe Girardi who saw it and sprinted to the outfield.

Rivera, 42, was examined by both the Yankees staff and Dr. Joe Nolan of the Kansas City Royals at the stadium. The preliminary diagnosis is a "twisted right knee," reports the YES Network.

Rivera had a big smile on his face as he was wheeled off the field on the back of a motorized cart.



The all-time saves leader will have an MRI examination tonight in a Kansas City hospital before more details of the injury are released.

Rivera's 608 saves are the most in baseball history. He has had a great season so far in 2012 and is 1-1 with 5 saves and a 2.16 ERA.

The last time Rivera was on the disabled list was in 2003, when he began the season with a groin strain.

Over his career, Rivera has been very durable, relying on his cut fastball to make at least 60 appearances in 14 seasons— another major league record. Rivera said he has not made up his mind on whether or not he will retire after the 2012 season and has kept his decision a secret.

One thing the closer has made clear is that he wants to play the outfield for one inning before his career is over. Just watch out for that warning track Mo.

Original Story: http://ihatelupica.blogspot.com/2012/...