Mariano Rivera suffers leg injury during Yankees Old-Timers' Day

New York Post

4 days ago

Access the Yankees beat like never before
Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free
Mariano Rivera had targeted Old-Timers' Day to share a moment and share advice with struggling Yankees reliever Devin Williams, believing he could help.
The greatest closer of all time never made it to Williams because of an injury that has sparked concern.
Rivera suffered a leg injury during the alumni game, the Yankees said after the festivities and after the 5-4 win over the Astros in The Bronx. The extent of the injury or the exact timing — he ran the bases on a single and played the outfield during the brief exhibition — is unclear.
Rivera has famously had a history of freak practice injuries. In May 2012, he was shagging fly balls before a game and tore his ACL, getting knocked out for the rest of that season.
The injury sidetracked Rivera's intention to speak with Williams. Before the festivities, Rivera said he did not want to reveal his precise message.
3 New York Yankees hall of fame closer Mariano Rivera hits a single during the Old Timers' Day game at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, USA, Saturday, August 09, 2025.
JASON SZENES/ NY POST
Rivera — the first and only unanimously voted Hall of Famer and unquestionably the best reliever ever — did not have a ton of struggles through 19 seasons, but he still learned how to handle the adversity that comes with the game and comes with the closer role.
'Forget about it,' Rivera said about overcoming struggles such as a blown save. 'You can't do nothing about it. What's done is done. Move on and be confident. You have to be confident in yourself. If you're not confident in yourself, why are you playing the sport?'
3 Former New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera waves to fans at Old Timers' Day.
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
3 New York Yankees hall of fame closer Mariano Rivera hits a single during the Old Timers' Day game at Yankee Stadium.
JASON SZENES/ NY POST
A night earlier, Williams acknowledged his confidence is not 'as high as it's ever been,' after essentially costing his team a third game in as many appearances. Williams, a two-time All-Star with the Brewers who has been among the best arms in the game in his career, owns a 5.73 ERA and has allowed at least a run in his past five games.
'Any time Mo's around, I know guys — not just guys in the pen, but everyone — appreciate the wisdom he provides,' manager Aaron Boone said before the win. 'What Mariano was so good at was just that he wasn't affected by yesterday's performance.'
Boone has said he wants to find less-stressful situations for Williams to help reclaim his confidence.
'[Williams] needs to be a little more positive,' said Old-Timer Jorge Posada, who knew how to guide pitchers through rough times. 'You got to get him through … these key situations. Hopefully he gets his mind right.'