SAN FRANCISCO — The Yankees don’t know if they have seen the last of Mariano Rivera in pinstripes.
That’s because in a recent conversation with Brian Cashman baseball’s all-time saves leader didn’t tell the team’s general manager he is definitely returning next season.
“He said he doesn’t know what he is doing yet,’’ Cashman said, referring to a Tuesday night conversation he had with Rivera. “I asked him what his plans were and he said, ‘I haven’t decided yet.’ He said he was working his way through about 2013 and he would let me know soon.’’
When his season ended on May 3 in Kansas City with a torn ACL in his right knee, an injury that required surgery, Rivera vowed to return in 2013.
“I am coming back,” Rivera said the day after suffering the injury. “Put it down. Write it down in big letters. I’m not going down like this. God willing and given the strength, I’m coming back.”
Rivera, who will be 43 at the end of next month, will be a free agent when the World Series ends and Cashman said he isn’t making plans one way or the other regarding Rivera until he hears again from the future Hall of Famer.
“He might retire, he might play. He doesn’t know yet,’’ Cashman said from his Yankee Stadium office where he is holding staff meetings. “I told him when you know where you are at let us know.’’
Rivera has worked diligently to repair the knee and at the end of the season was confident the hinge would be healthy enough to pitch next year.
Why Rivera is wavering is unknown, but upon arriving at spring training the past few years he has talked about how hard it is to leave his family every February.
Asked if the Yankees want Rivera back, Cashman emphatically said, “Yes.’’ Cashman also said he hasn’t talked money with Rivera, who made $15 million last year when he appeared in nine games and posted five saves.
It’s hard to believe Rivera would tell the Yankees he is returning if he doesn’t know what the Yankees plan on paying him.
Cashman said he has spoken to Rivera and Andy Pettitte to see what their plans are. Like Rivera, the 40-year-old Pettitte becomes a free agent when the World Series ends. Either they will return to the Yankees or retire because they aren’t interested in pitching elsewhere.
“I talked to them because they are unique,’’ Cashman said. “I don’t have to ask [free agents] Russell Martin and Nick Swisher if they are going to play [next season].’’
With Rafael Soriano, who replaced Rivera and posted 42 saves in 46 chances, ready to opt out of the final season of a three-year deal and become a free agent, Rivera’s decision will play a big part in the Yankees’ plans.
Soriano is slated to make $14 million next season. Opting out would net him a $1.5 million buyout. Should the Yankees offer him the $13.3 million qualifying offer and he accepts, Soriano would get an $800,000 raise. If he doesn’t accept, Soriano would be a free agent with the Yankees receiving a sandwich pick as compensation.
Should Rivera decide 17-plus years is enough and Soriano splits, the Yankees would be left with David Robertson as the favorite to close games.
george.king@nypost.com