Reason Why Rivera's Surgery Was Delayed

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who suffered a torn ACL shagging fly balls last week, also has a blood clot in his right calf and has been placed on blood-thinning medication.

“I was more concerned about the blood clot than the knee,” Rivera said at a press conference Wednesday. “For a minute I thought, ‘What else is going to happen?’ … I was scared. I never hear good things about blood clots (WEEI).”

We were wondering the reason, and this seems to be it. Makes sense since when you have a blood clot they put you on blood thinners, and that's not something you want to be on when they cut you open.

Rivera says that if he comes back next year he is going to continue to sag fly balls...

"It happened doing something I love," he said of the injury. "After 22 years of shagging, it happened."

Which is one of the funniest statements I have heard in awhile.

Rivera Surgery Delayed

"Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera (knee) "ran into complications" during his visit with doctors on Monday, his agent told the New York Post. Rivera is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL while shagging fly balls during batting practice last Thursday at Kansas City. However, according to ESPN.com, the issues are not considered serious, but the team was unable to set a date for surgery."

This is a huge blow for the Yankees as it makes a bullpen that looked to be pretty good a lot weaker, and with a weak starting rotation the Yankees look vulnerable. I hate the Yankees more than anything, but I do hope Rivera comes back next year. He is the greatest closer of all-time and I don't want to see his career come to an end while shagging fly falls for some journeyman call up.

Rivera, for his part, has said he is coming back. I believe him. You have to question how good he will be after missing the rest of the season, and being yet another year older, but if anyone can do it it's probably Rivera.