Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was all smiles after throwing 18 pitches Thursday in his first simulated game since knee surgery last spring.
“I feel good,” Rivera said. “I feel real good. Getting stronger and stronger.”
The 43-year-old pitched one inning against Yankees’ minor leaguers in Tampa, Fla. He also fielded and covered first base.
“That’s what I wanted to do, field some bunts, go after some balls in between first and the mound,” Rivera said.
Rivera pitched in nine games last year, his season ending when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while tracking a fly ball during batting practice May 3. He had surgery on June 12.
ON THE TATTOO LIST?
Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus was scratched from the Rangers game against the Indians because of what the club called “sensitivity in his left arm” — apparently caused by a tattoo.
Andrus spent nine hours the two days prior under a needle. He wanted a likeness of his late father, Emilo Andrus, who died in 1996 when Elvis was 7.
“It’s a memory of my dad. I’m really proud that it’s going to be on myself forever,” said Andrus, who is expected to be ready today.
SHORT HOPS
Mets reliever Pedro Feliciano has been cleared to resume baseball activity while wearing a heart monitor. … Cardinals pitcher Jake Westbrook left the game against the Marlins with a bruised left knee, and outfielder Carlos Beltran departed with a bruised right toe. … San Francisco outfielder Andres Torres won’t play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic and will be sidelined for at least a week because of a strained oblique.
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