It was a night for mixed emotions for Mariano Rivera. While there was some pride and satisfaction over yet another saves record and — more importantly a Yankees victory, Rivera also felt Derek Jeter’s pain.
Rivera earned his 30th save in the Yankees’ 2-0 victory over the Twins Friday night, reaching the milestone for the 15th time in his career and passing Trevor Hoffman for the most seasons of 30 or more saves. Nevertheless, the Hall-of-Fame-bound reliever, who tore his right ACL on May 3, 2012 and missed the rest of the season, seemed more concerned with Jeter. The Yankees captain suffered a right quadriceps injury Thursday in his first game back from a fractured left ankle. Jeter was pronounced out until after the All-Star break at least by general manager Brian Cashman.
“It’s hard man. It’s tough,” Rivera said. “You’ve got a guy who worked hard all these months waiting for his moment and then he gets hurt, the first game. It’s tough to accept it.”
Jeter fractured his ankle during the ALCS last year, and a second crack was discovered in the ankle in April. After a lengthy rehab, he made his season debut Thursday — and injured his quad.
“You don’t ask ‘Why me?’ you have to find out a way to get it done,” Rivera said.
PHOTOS: JETER RETURNS TO YANKEES LINEUP
Of his latest saves mark, Rivera said it’s a nice footnote to his stunning career but what mattered was “we got the win.” he said while praising his teammates.
* Jayson Nix, on the disabled list with hamstring woes, said he doesn’t think he will be ready right after the break.
“I’m feeling better,” he said after hitting in the cage for the first time since his injury. He also said he rode a bike each of the last two days.
Nix plans to “go to Tampa [Sunday] for rehab and “be there for the break.”
* There was some positive injury news, which around the Yankees is as rare as mint Honus Wagner baseball cards.
Brett Gardner (right leg contusion) and Travis Hafner (left foot contusion) both received the go-ahead to play. Gardner pinch hit Thursday while Hafner sat that game. Gardner batted leadoff Friday night, was 1-for-3 with a walk, drove in the Yankees’ first run in the fifth and later scored. He also stole a base in the seventh.
“I feel good. Back in the lineup and ready to go,” Gardner said, claiming his inclusion in the lineup was not a result of others being injured. “I came to the field expecting to play today.”
Hafner, who like Gardner was injured Wednesday, also had a positive view of his status.
“I feel pretty good. Feel better today,” said Hafner, who was not used.
* Cashman said Curtis Granderson (broken left hand) has made small inroads in his rehab but is nowhere close to a rehab assignment as yet.
“He’s in Tampa and as of [Thursday], I was told he was to start swinging a broomstick or dry swings with a bat,” Cashman said.
But don’t get too excited, Yankees fans.
“He’s not even taking batting practice yet,” Cashman said. “He wasn’t hitting off of a tee yet. Just done swings in the pool.”
* Like most Yankees pitchers, Phil Hughes, Saturday’s starter, has enjoyed success in his career against the Twins, going 3-1 with a 2.65 ERA in his career against them.
Hughes has surrendered at least one home run in seven of his last eight decisions. But he never has given up more than three earned runs in a start against Minnesota.
Additional reporting by Dan Martin