What happened to Mariano Rivera? Is he injured? Here’s what to know
Mariano Rivera reportedly injured his Achilles during Yankees Old-Timers’ Day, just moments after delivering a single against former teammate Andy Pettitte.
A celebration of baseball history took an unfortunate turn for Yankees great Mariano Rivera on Saturday, as the Hall of Fame closer reportedly sustained an Achilles injury during the team’s 77th Old-Timers’ Day at Yankee Stadium.
The news first surfaced when fellow Yankees icon Roger Clemens mentioned it during a live interview on WFAN’s broadcast of the game.
“It was a fun day until we just heard about Mariano,” Clemens said. “Mariano hurt his Achilles. I think he’s at the hospital now.”
Earlier in the event, Rivera had been part of one of the day’s most memorable moments, stepping into the batter’s box and delivering a single off former teammate and fellow pitching great Andy Pettitte. This year’s Old-Timers’ Day paid tribute to the Yankees’ 2000 World Series victory over the New York Mets—a title run in which Rivera, Clemens, and Pettitte all played pivotal roles.
Rivera’s baseball legacy is unparalleled. In 2019, he became the first and only player to be unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, cementing his place in the sport’s history books. His achievements have earned recognition beyond the diamond, including receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from then-President Donald Trump later that same year.
Rivera, now 55, has remained in the public eye not only for his charity work and appearances at Yankees events but also for his outspoken support of Trump, whom he endorsed during the 2024 presidential campaign. The two share a long-standing friendship that predates Trump’s presidency.
As of Saturday evening, no official update on Rivera’s condition had been released, but the injury put a damper on what was otherwise a day of nostalgia and celebration for Yankees fans.
Mariano Rivera: The Unshakable Closer Who Defined an Era
When Mariano Rivera stepped onto the pitcher’s mound for the New York Yankees, the game often felt over before it was truly done. With his signature cut fastball, a calm presence under pressure, and a work ethic as precise as his pitches, Rivera became the embodiment of dominance in Major League Baseball. Now 55, the Hall of Fame closer remains a towering figure in the sport’s history—both for what he achieved on the field and for the respect he commands beyond it.
Born in Panama in 1969, Rivera’s journey to the majors was anything but certain. Signed by the Yankees in 1990 as an unheralded prospect, he worked his way through the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in 1995. Just a year later, he began cementing his role as the Yankees’ go-to reliever, eventually becoming the greatest closer in the history of the game.
Over 19 seasons, Rivera notched 652 career saves—a record that still stands—and posted a postseason ERA of 0.70, a mark that defies comprehension given the high-stakes situations he routinely faced. His performance was instrumental in leading the Yankees to five World Series championships, including the memorable 2000 Subway Series win over the New York Mets.
Rivera’s excellence was recognized in 2019 when he became the first player ever to be unanimously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The achievement reflected not just his statistics, but his reputation for humility, professionalism, and sportsmanship.
Even after retiring in 2013, Rivera’s presence continues to be felt. He’s been a fixture at Yankees events, most recently appearing at the team’s 77th Old-Timers’ Day in August 2025—a celebration that honored the 25th anniversary of the 2000 championship. The day brought a mix of joy and concern: Rivera delivered a single off longtime teammate Andy Pettitte, only to reportedly suffer an Achilles injury later in the afternoon.
Beyond baseball, Rivera has been active in philanthropy and public life. His Mariano Rivera Foundation supports youth education and community initiatives, and he’s remained outspoken on his personal beliefs, including his friendship and political support for former President Donald Trump. In 2019, Trump awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling him “maybe the greatest pitcher of all time.”
For fans, Rivera’s name is synonymous with excellence, composure, and loyalty—to his team, his craft, and his values. Whether on the mound in the bottom of the ninth or representing the Yankees legacy decades later, Mariano Rivera remains exactly what he was during his playing days: a closer in every sense of the word.