Mariano Rivera (AP)
Mariano Rivera (AP)
Mariano Rivera’s visit with surgeons yesterday was expected to result in a date for surgery to repair a torn right ACL.
However, things didn’t go as smoothly as expected for the Yankees closer.
“We ran into complications,’’ agent Fernando Cuza told The Post. “I am referring to Dr. Ahmad and [Yankees general manager] Brian Cashman for further information.’’
Neither Cuza nor the Yankees would elaborate on what was discovered when Rivera met with Yankees team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad, Dr. Russell Warren, the Giants’ physician, and David Altchek, the Mets’ doctor, who performed surgery on Rivera’s shoulder after the 2008 season.
It was suspected the surgeons would concur with last week’s diagnosis in Kansas City that Rivera had a torn ACL and torn meniscus and plans for season-ending surgery would be made.
“I won’t comment on that right now,’’ Cashman said. “He was at the Hospital for Special Surgery and saw Dr. Warren and then saw [Dr.] Ahmad. He was scheduled to see both.’’
By now the storyline of how Rivera suffered the injury is part of Yankee lore. Shagging batting practice fly balls at Kauffman Stadium Thursday night, Rivera crumbled to the warning track in center field holding his right knee.
Carted off the field, Rivera was taken for an MRI exam which revealed a torn ACL and a tear in the meniscus.
Friday, Rivera vowed to return next year, saying he didn’t want the final snapshot of his career to have him laying on a dirt warning track or being lifted by manager Joe Girardi and bullpen coach Mike Harkey into a cart.
“When you love the game and you like to compete, it would be tough to go out like this,” the all-time saves leader with 608 said. He added: “I can’t go down like this.”
Rivera, 42, also said he expected the Yankees would welcome him back.
“They will want the old goat,’’ Rivera said.
Saturday, Rivera flew from Kansas City home on the Steinbrenner family jet. Sunday, he rested at home, awaiting yesterday’s examinations. Since the devastating injury deleted arguably the greatest pitcher of all time from the late-game equation, the Yankees are 2-2 but haven’t experienced a save situation. The closest came Friday night when David Robertson fanned all three batters to seal a 6-2 win.
When dealing with torn ACL’s the recovery process varies from surgery to surgery. The most popular opinion is 6-8 months but some have returned in five and others need a full year.