Hall of Fame pitcher Mariano Rivera tore his Achilles tendon while chasing a fly ball during the New York Yankees' Old-Timers' Day game on Saturday and will require surgery, his agent Fern Cuza confirmed.
The 55-year-old, baseball's all-time saves leader with 652, sustained the injury in shallow centre field after taking a step during an at-bat by former teammate Willie Randolph. He had earlier singled off Andy Pettitte and run to first base without issue.
Roger Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, described the incident as 'unbelievable', noting that Rivera was taken to hospital. The event, which honoured the 25th anniversary of the 2000 championship team, was the first Old-Timers' Day since 2019.
Rivera previously tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in 2012 while shagging flies during batting practice. He returned for one more season before retiring and was unanimously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.
This is the second injury at the event since 2017, following Paul O'Neill's strained calf. Rivera's operation is expected within a week.
