Mariano Rivera 'scared' about blood clot found in right calf

Mariano Rivera went to the hospital on Monday to decide which doctor would perform surgery on his torn ACL and found out he also had a blood clot in the calf of the same right leg.

The clot was discovered while doctors examined the torn ACL in his right knee, prompting doctors to keep the New York Yankees closer in the hospital overnight while he was treated with blood thinners.

The 42-year old Rivera will undergo surgery in the next week or two.  But first doctors want him to strengthen his knee and get a wider range of motion.  The clot was considered alarming and Rivera doesn't know if it was there before last Thursday's injury in Kansas City.

"I was scared," said Rivera.  "I've never heard good things about blood clots."

Still, the pitcher acknowledged that doctors would have never discovered the clot if he didn't damage his knee while shagging fly balls.

"Maybe it is a blessing; I always see it like that," said Rivera.  "I always say that things happen for a good reason. I was more concerned with the blood clot than the knee.  For a minute, I was like, 'What else would happen?' To me, it's a blessing.  I didn't ask why it happened, I didn't ask how it happened; I asked, 'How do we deal with it?' That's the way I wanted to leave it."

Rivera will be spending the upcoming weeks strengthening his knee for surgery and doesn't think the knee or clot will derail his comeback next season.  In fact, the injuries seem to reinforce his desire to come back.

"I will do whatever it takes, but if the leg doesn't come back strong the way I want it to, that's the Lord saying he doesn't want me to come back," said Rivera.  "If it's my call, I don't want to leave the game the way it happened."

Mariano Rivera on return: 'I'm not going down like this'

Mariano Rivera showed a lot of emotion after he found out he tore his right ACL last night— after buckling over while shagging a fly ball—  but today Rivera showed why he is the toughest closer in major league history.

The Hall-of-Fame bound pitcher insisted Friday that his career with the New York Yankees is not over.

"I am coming back," Rivera said.  "Put it down in big letters.  I'm not going down like this."

Mariano's career— never mind the 2012 season— might be over because of the torn MCL and torn meniscus in his right knee but not if the durable Rivera can help it.  The spiritual Rivera has a positive outlook but is putting his return in the hands of a higher power.

"God willing and given the strength, I'm coming back," he said.

Rivera didn't disclose details on when he plans to have surgery but told ESPN, "I'm going to recover from this thing."

When asked why— after a glorious career and holding just about every record for a closer— the 42-year old would want to come back.

"I don't need to prove it to no one," he replied.  "That's just me.  I love the game.  I love to compete."

Rivera suffered the knee injury while shagging fly balls during batting practice before Thursday night's game— a pre-game ritual he's done a thousand times before without incident and said he will do it again.

Rivera spoke by phone with Dr. David Altchek, who told the closer he should be ready to play by spring training in February.

"I love to play this game," Rivera said.  "I don't think, to me, going out like this is the right way. . . I don't think like that.  With the strength of the Lord, I have to continue."

Rivera was in much better spirits today and joked with reporters.

Asked how he knows the Yankees would want him back next year, the free agent-to-be Rivera laughed, " They'll want the old goat."

Jeter on Rivera: 'He'll be back' with Yankees in 2012

The gloom surrounding the news that New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera had a torn right ACL— which could end the career of baseball's all-time saves leader— was sliced by by a glimmer of hope as sharp as one of Rivera's cut fastballs.  Derek Jeter spoke about Rivera's grit and still believes the closer could be back in 2012.

"I'm not a doctor but I wouldn't be surprised if he is back here this year," said the Yankees captain.

No man probably knows Rivera better than his teammate Jeter.  The two cornerstones of the current Yankees dynasty have played together for 16 years and the shortstop has seen Rivera shag pre-game fly balls without a problem for every one of them.

Rivera collapsed in the outfield with a torn ACL before last night's game against the Kansas City Royals doing what he loved to do— and what many considered him a natural at doing— chasing down  fly balls in centerfield.

"It's bad, I mean it's bad, there's no other way you can put it," Jeter said.  "It's unfortunate.  I mean Mo shags every day, he's been doing that for 20-some years as long as I've known him and it just seems like one of those freak things."

Jeter did not see Rivera's Thursday night's stumble out at the Kauffman Stadium warning track.  Jeter was the DH last night so he wasn't outside during that portion of batting practice but you can bet he saw him being carted off the field along with a lot of Yankees saves.

The Yankees shortstop knows Rivera's absence will be a big void to fill even though Dave Robertson— the favorite to take over for Mo in the ninth inning— has shown signs of brilliance himself.  Robertson had a breakout season in 2011 and made the All-Star team.

"Mo's a vital part of this team, on the field, off the field, he's going to be missed," said Jeter.  "You don't replace him, someone can do his job but you can't replace him.  Other guys are are going to have to pick it up."

Robertson saw Rivera go down and initially thought the fun-loving pitcher was playing around.

"I thought it was funny and then I realized he was really injured and down," said Robertson  "There was nothing I could do but stand there and watch."

Jeter remained optimistic about Rivera's return to the mound in 2012.

"I know how much he cares about coming here and doing his job and being available every day," Jeter said.  "And he works hard and he's going to work hard at his recovery but like I said I'm no doctor, but I won't be surprised to see him back this year.

"He's disappointed but he'll be back."

Mariano Rivera carted off field with 'twisted knee'

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.