Baseball Guru
07-21-2001, 05:41 AM
by RONALD BLUM
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- The latest test on Mariano Rivera's right ankle revealed no injury. All he knows is it hurts.
''There was nothing in the X-ray that was of concern,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said after Friday's 10-4 loss to game against Toronto. ''It's a matter of how much pain he can endure. Some days are better than others. Or put it this way -- some aren't as bad as others.''
Rivera, who leads the majors with 32 saves, had an MRI test Friday after the Yankees returned from their nine-game road trip. According to the Yankees, team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon said it showed irritation, not injury.
Rivera said before the game he was waiting to find out from the team medical staff.
''I hope nothing's wrong. We'll see,'' he said.
He wasn't in the mostly empty clubhouse following the loss, the Yankees' third straight.
The Yankees have been concerned because Rivera pushes off the rubber with his right leg. Torre hasn't noticed any change in Rivera's effectiveness.
''It's usually pretty evident by the explosion of his ball,'' the manager said. ''We can always tell by the results. If he's not able to push off properly, his ball's not alive.''
Torre said Rivera might be fitted for an orthopedic device that could alleviate some of the pain. According to the manager, Hershon said Rivera won't need surgery, not even after the season.
''He thought rest would cure it,'' Torre said.
The main worry is that the pain might increase to the point where it changes Rivera's mechanics. The Yankees won't want to endanger the arm that's helped them win four of the last five World Series titles.
If the pain becomes too much, Torre said, ''then we might have to think about doing something, like resting him for a period of time.''
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- The latest test on Mariano Rivera's right ankle revealed no injury. All he knows is it hurts.
''There was nothing in the X-ray that was of concern,'' Yankees manager Joe Torre said after Friday's 10-4 loss to game against Toronto. ''It's a matter of how much pain he can endure. Some days are better than others. Or put it this way -- some aren't as bad as others.''
Rivera, who leads the majors with 32 saves, had an MRI test Friday after the Yankees returned from their nine-game road trip. According to the Yankees, team physician Dr. Stuart Hershon said it showed irritation, not injury.
Rivera said before the game he was waiting to find out from the team medical staff.
''I hope nothing's wrong. We'll see,'' he said.
He wasn't in the mostly empty clubhouse following the loss, the Yankees' third straight.
The Yankees have been concerned because Rivera pushes off the rubber with his right leg. Torre hasn't noticed any change in Rivera's effectiveness.
''It's usually pretty evident by the explosion of his ball,'' the manager said. ''We can always tell by the results. If he's not able to push off properly, his ball's not alive.''
Torre said Rivera might be fitted for an orthopedic device that could alleviate some of the pain. According to the manager, Hershon said Rivera won't need surgery, not even after the season.
''He thought rest would cure it,'' Torre said.
The main worry is that the pain might increase to the point where it changes Rivera's mechanics. The Yankees won't want to endanger the arm that's helped them win four of the last five World Series titles.
If the pain becomes too much, Torre said, ''then we might have to think about doing something, like resting him for a period of time.''