Rivera: Triceps no longer sore
Mariano Rivera walks to the dugout after allowing the New York Mets to tie the game in the ninth inning. (July 3, 2011) Credit: Jim McIsaac
CLEVELAND — After throwing in the outfield before last night’s game, Mariano Rivera said his right triceps no longer is sore.
Still, his preference was to sit out a third straight game, just to be safe.
“I might take another day,” he said.
Rivera first felt the discomfort after suffering his fourth blown save of the season Sunday against the Mets. He said he would be ready to go tonight for the start of a four-game series against the Rays at the Stadium. “Oh, yes, tomorrow definitely,” he said.
Rivera, who has 21 saves and a 1.91 ERA, was just picked for his 12th All-Star Game — though he’s all but certain not to go to Phoenix. He said he felt about “95 percent,” which he said is how he typically feels.
“I will never feel 100 percent,” the 41-year-old said.
He smiled, then asked rhetorically: “When was the last time I felt 100 percent?”
Repeating what he said Tuesday, Rivera said he could have pitched last night if it had been absolutely necessary.
But he knows Joe Girardi and trainer Gene Monahan typically play it cautiously.
“Knowing Geno and knowing Girardi, they might give me another day,” Rivera said.
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