TORONTO — Seeing Mariano Rivera’s right elbow smothered in heat before Thursday’s 6-2 loss to the Blue Jays was different.
Ice on his shoulder area following a game is common, but rarely does Rivera come from the trainer’s room into the clubhouse with heat on his hinge.
“I put heat on it every day,’’ Rivera said at his locker when asked if pregame heat was normal.
Pitching coach Larry Rothschild and manager Joe Girardi confirmed heat is part of the 43-year-old’s daily program.
“You have to do whatever takes to get ready,’’ said Rivera, who posted a four-out save Wednesday night in a 4-3 win after not pitching since Sept. 12 in Baltimore.
Asked if he felt good, Rivera simply said, “Yeah.’’
At this time of the year — there are nine regular-season games remaining starting Friday night — every pitcher has some body part to work on.
And with Rivera retiring after this season there is nothing to protect for next year. Still, Girardi said he will look for signs of Rivera’s location and action on his cutter to see if he needs to rest him.
“I haven’t seen anything to lead me to believe [there is a problem],’’ Girardi said. “And if he did [have a problem] I don’t know that he would tell me.’’
“I am not going to do something to jeopardize the team,’’ said Rivera, who has converted 44-of-51 save chances. “I am not stupid. Whatever it takes and how I feel. If you feel good you don’t have to manage it.’’
Asked again if he felt good, Rivera said, “Yeah.’’
With the Yankees planning a celebration for Rivera on Sunday, Girardi was asked if it was a must for Rivera to pitch that day against the Giants.
“It all depends on the situation,’’ Girardi said. “I don’t feel I have to pitch him Sunday.’’
The Blue Jays presented Rivera with a $10,000 check for his charity foundation as a going-away gift.
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To get more protection for his head, Austin Romine is switching from the titanium light catcher’s mask to the older steel bar style that he hasn’t used since he was at Low-A Charleston in 2008.
The steel mask is heavier but preferred by some because of the protection against concussions like the one that has kept Romine out since Sept.10.
“I talked to some other catchers, Buck [Martinez], Sal [Fasano] and Tony [Pena] and they think it offers more protection,’’ Romine said.
Romine answered “probably at home’’ when asked about being able to play.
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Alfonso Soriano led off the second inning with a bullet into the left-field corner, but was thrown out at second by Anthony Gose and it appeared Soriano didn’t run full out around first.
“He has to make a better decision,’’ said Girardi, who didn’t clarify what Soriano had to be better about.
Soriano said he didn’t slow up and was the victim of a perfect throw by Gose.
“When I got to [first] I looked up and he made a very good throw,’’ said Soriano, who added the Yankees poor offensive showing against the Red Sox and Blue Jays was caused by fatigue from their 10-day road trip.
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Brett Gardner has been out a week with a left rib cage problem but isn’t close to returning.
“I have been riding the bike the last three days but that’s it. I hope to do more at some point this weekend,’’ Gardner said.
According to Girardi, the treatment has changed.
“But he hasn’t done anything to lead me to believe he is better and would be on the field this weekend,’’ Girardi said.
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Girardi said lefty reliever Boone Logan’s elbow felt good Thursday and expects to have him available Friday night against the Giants at Yankee Stadium. Logan was diagnosed with a bone spur Monday.