N
o, the 56-year-old Mariano Rivera is not coming back to pitch for the New York Yankees.
However, the Yankees announced on social media Saturday that the Hall of Fame closer will take the mound at Yankee Stadium during the 78th Old-Timers’ Day game.
The game starts at 1 p.m. ET, and Rivera’s appearance carries some extra significance. Exactly one year ago, he ruptured his Achilles tendon during this same event.
Rivera played center field during last year’s game before falling to the ground. He later received a diagnosis of a torn Achilles.
Yankees’ Announcement
The Yankees’ social media team decided to have some fun with Rivera’s return.
“Prior to today’s Old-Timers’ Day Game, the Yankees made the following roster moves: • Reinstated RHP/UTIL/HOF Mariano Rivera (#42) from the 364-day injured list,” the post read.
The Yankees followed it up with another post announcing, “Mariano Rivera is scheduled to appear/pitch in today’s Old-Timers’ Day matchup.”
Prior to today’s Old-Timers’ Day Game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Reinstated RHP/UTIL/HOF Mariano Rivera (#42) from the 364-day injured list.— New York Yankees (@Yankees) August 8, 2026
MLB Fans React on Social Media
Yankees fans quickly reacted to the team’s announcement about Rivera.
“This is actually fun. Did the team get a new social media admin?” a fan joked.
Someone else added, “Nice funny tweet. Now win some games please.”
Another person wrote, “Can he actually pitch for us?”
“WE HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE BACK,” a fan shared.
One more commented, “Lmao this is the greatest Tweet ever.”
Rivera’s MLB Career
Rivera played 19 seasons in the majors, all with the Yankees, and cemented himself as one of the greatest closers in MLB history.
He’s a 13-time All-Star, five-time World Series champion, World Series MVP, ALCS MVP and five-time Rolaids Relief winner. Across his career, he posted a remarkable 2.21 ERA over 1,283.2 innings while recording 652 saves and 1,173 strikeouts.
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