Now that Mariano Rivera has said he plans to rehab his torn ACL and pitch next season the natural question is whether there’s any chance he could return this year.
One recent example of a pitcher coming back from a torn ACL in the same season is Yovani Gallardo of the Brewers, who suffered the injury on May 1, 2008 and was back in the Brewers’ rotation on September 25. And then he even started the Brewers’ first playoff game.
Rivera suffered his torn ACL on May 3, so he essentially has as much time left in the season as Gallardo did in 2008, but of course Gallardo was 22 years old and Rivera is 42.
Asked about Rivera’s chances of throwing another pitch for the Yankees this season, manager Joe Girardi replied “doubtful” and even cited Gallardo’s situation before saying that “you worry about the strength and the stability of the leg, it’s a big part of pitching and it would be a concern.”
Obviously no one is counting on Rivera pitching again in 2012, but it’s interesting that the door is still open at least a crack.