Yankees' Cashman not panicking about Rivera
In the rain, Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera throws to first to put out the Astros' Kevin Cash for the first out in the ninth inning to sweep the Astros in three games, Sunday. (June 13, 2010) Credit: AP
OAKLAND, Calif. - Brian Cashman found out about the same time as reporters, after batting practice Tuesday, that Mariano Rivera had pulled himself out of the All-Star game.
But any panic the general manager might have felt lessened significantly after talking with the team's training staff.
"Does he have something major? No," Cashman said Wednesday. "It is something that's a major concern to him? No. Is it something he wants to get ahead of before it becomes a problem? Yes."
Cashman said no tests were planned, either on Rivera's right knee or oblique. The right knee is a more recent problem, one Rivera said cropped up the weekend of June 25-27 in Los Angeles. "It sounds to me like Mo decided he was banged up," Cashman said. "He wants to take those four days, rest and feel better and be ready to play in the second half."
Partial rest for A-Rod
Manager Joe Girardi said Alex Rodriguez, who came into last night's game with 597 career homers, was likely to get a DH day during the four-game series in Seattle but not a full day off. "Unless he comes up to me and tells me he needs a day," Girardi said.
