Mariano Rivera is moving ahead in rehab

It's good to hear that Mariano is recovering nicely from arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. He said everything is fine and that he will be ready to pitch on Opening Day 2009. I expect another stellar season from Mo as usual.

from the NY Daily News:

Mariano Rivera is glad to see the change at the front of the Yankees' rotation.

"I think they're good acquisitions, I think they can help us out," Rivera said of Sabathia and Burnett. "With good pitching, we can have a lot of good things. It has been the problem for a few years, so now we have pitching, and hopefully we'll get it going.

"There's nothing guaranteed; you still have to go out there and perform, (but) pitching is the name of the game," added Rivera, who spent yesterday afternoon signing autographs at Last Licks ice cream parlor in Ryebrook. "It's great to have veterans at the front of the rotation.

"With young kids like (Phil Hughes & Ian Kennedy), a lot of things can happen, and that's what happened last year. Hopefully they can learn, and when they have a shot again, they take advantage of it."

Rivera, who turned turned 39 on Nov.29, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder this offseason but said he'll be ready for Opening Day.

"Everything is OK, a lot of rehabbing," he said. "It's definitely painful, but everything is good."- Matt Gagne

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from River Ave. Blues: An update on Yankee players in the winter leagues.

Melky Cabrera: 20 for 65 (.308), 13 R, 4 2B, 6 RBI, 8 BB, 8 K, 2 SB in 17 games

Robbie Cano:16 for 54 (.296), 13 R, 6 2B, 1 HR, 5 BB, 3 K, 1 SB, 1 HBP in 13 games … still more BB than K after 13 games? who is this man and what has he done with Robinson Cano?

Frankie Cervelli:11 for 43 (.256), 8 R, 2 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 8 BB, 12 K, 1 CS, 1 HBP in 19 games

Walt Ibarra: 14 for 71 (.197), 3 R, 2 RBI, 6 BB, 16 K, 3 SB, 1 CS in 33 games

Ramiro Pena:24 for 91 (.264), 10 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 0 BB, 8 K, 1 SB, 1 CS, 2 HBP in 26 games

Jon Albaladejo: 13.1 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 1 WP in 11 appearances

Wilkins Arias:10.2 IP, 16 H, 16 R, 15 ER, 7 BB, 12 K, 2 WP, 1 HB in 16 appearances

Despite latest spending spree, Yankees still third best in A.L. East I disagree…..

Yankees enter Teixeira fray / Yankees Team Report