Mo nervous
Closer expresses worries if injured stars don’t return
Before he added another highlight to what will be a Hall of Fame career, AllStar Game MVP Mariano Rivera admitted having doubt about the Yankees’ chances of reaching the postseason if the injured players don’t make it back from the disabled list.
Everybody at all levels of the organization believes the Yankees’ chances of getting to the postseason are tied to Derek Jeter, Curtis Granderson and Alex Rodriguez not only returning but producing.
Rivera, who worked a perfect eighth inning in a 30 American League victory at Citi Field last night, is no different.
The legendary closer said he is confident if those names are in the lineup soon there is enough talent to get to October, either as the East champs or through one of the back door wild card spots.
“Hopefully, we get some of the guys back and start playing better baseball,’’ Rivera said of the 5144 Yankees who start Friday night’s action six lengths behind the firstplace Red Sox in Boston.
Yet, what happens if Jeter, Rodriguez and Granderson can’t make it back or are limited if they return? Do the Yankees have enough as currently constructed to make it into the postseason?
That’s where doubt, something that rarely comes into play with Rivera, surfaces in baseball’s alltime saves leader.
“I don’t know, I don’t know. We have to play better,’’ Rivera said. “We have to play hard and score more runs. Anything can happen. We were in first so we are capable of doing that.’’
The last time the Yankees were in first place alone was May 25 when the smoke was thick and the mirrors crystal clear and produced a 3018 record.
Since then they are 2126 and have been without Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis who aren’t coming back.
There is a chance the Yankees can add a bat to a sagging lineup that houses Luis Cruz and a struggling Travis Hafner. GM Brian Cashman admits to actively looking for help but the best fit, Philly’s Michael Young, is in limbo while the Phillies’ front office decides if they are going to be sellers or buyers before the July 31 deadline.
As for when the Yankees can expect Jeter, Rodriguez or Granderson back, it’s a guessing game.
“He was at the Stadium [Monday and Tuesday] getting treatment,’’ Cashman said of Jeter, who returned from two fractures in the left ankle Thursday and was forced out of the game due to a right quad problem.
Asked if he could handicap Jeter’s chances of being in the lineup against the Red Sox, Cashman refused.
The GM also didn’t want to discuss Rodriguez’ daily rehab schedule other than to say he isn’t considering activating him before Monday when the Yankees open a fourgame series against the Rangers in Texas.
Cashman said Monday that early August is the target date for Granderson’s return but the center fielder is hoping to come back earlier.