Mariano Rivera On Pace For Return By Opening Day, Knee Feels 95 Percent

Mariano Rivera continues to progress towards a return to his role as New York Yankees closer in 2013. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Mariano Rivera continues to progress towards a return to his role as New York Yankees closer in 2013. (Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The New York Yankees are hoping to get back their closer Mariano Rivera for the start of the 2013 season and reportedly the news continues to be encouraging. According to Bryan Hoch, Rivera is not far off from his throwing program. Hoch covers for the Yankees for MLB.com.

@BryanHoch: Mariano Rivera plans to start throwing in about a week, says his knee feels about “95 percent.” via Twitter

 Rivera has been rehabbing his surgically repaired ACL, he tore the ACL in early May of last season so it’s realistic that he’d be ready by April for Opening Day.

 Rivera’s 43 years old, however he’s also the career saves leader and arguably the best closer of all-time. The Yankees have had an interesting offseason because of their goal to maintain payroll flexibility moving forward towards 2014. If they can start the season with Rivera firmly back in place as their closer for 2013 it will go a long way towards getting their fanbase excited.