Mariano Rivera vowed to pitch again yesterday, and though most doctors believe the Yankees closer will be out until next season, Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo has proven Rivera may not have to wait that long.
Gallardo tore his right ACL during a start on May 1, 2008 and was back on the mound for the Brewers on Sept. 24 of the same season, giving up one run in four innings and striking out seven. He was less effective when he started the first game of the postseason that year, but has been solid — and healthy — ever since.
“It’s going to be a tough four-and-a-half or five months,” Gallardo said from San Francisco last night, where the Brewers faced the Giants. “You have to have a lot of patience after the surgery, waiting for your strength and range of motion to come back.”
Gallardo was 22 — two decades younger than Rivera — when he suffered his injury pitching against the Cubs as he covered first base on a Reed Johnson bunt attempt. He jumped over the diving Johnson and his knee buckled as he landed.
“You never think you’re going to come back that season when something like that happens,” said Gallardo, who actually remained in the game for another inning. “But the rehab went much faster than they said it would.”
The most difficult part, according to Gallardo, was getting over the mental part of the injury. That might be easier for Rivera, since he likely won’t be patrolling the outfield again anytime soon.
“My knee felt fine, but it was hard covering first when I came back because you think about the same play happening again,” Gallardo said. “The crazy way it happened to him should definitely help. The less you think about it, the better.”
Gallardo said he has had no problems with the knee since the surgery.
“Once I got my lower half back and the power, I was fine,” Gallardo said. “I can see the same thing happening for him.”