Mo Rivera In Tampa As Guest Instructor; Jokes That He's Coming Back
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- With David Robertson gone, there is plenty of focus on relievers Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller as manager Joe Girardi tries to figure out who is closer will be this season.
They might have some unexpected competition.
All-time saves leader and iconic Yankee Mariano Rivera showed up at Yankees camp on Wednesday. Mo will serve as a guest instructor in Tampa.
"I have decided to come back," the future Hall of Famer joked.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Great Mariano Rivera! pic.twitter.com/9JG8Z53MvH
— Otis Livingston (@OlivingstonTV) February 25, 2015
Yankees fans probably wish that the 45-year-old, who retired in 2013, was being serious.
"I joked with him, the last time a guy like you came to spring training he made two days of coaches' meetings, went home for three days and decided he wanted to pitch again," manager Joe Girardi said, referring to Andy Pettitte. "So I said, 'I am curious to see how long you are going to make it in our meetings.'"
Girardi told reporters that the 13-time All-Star plans on being in camp for nine or 10 days, and he might return later for a second stint.
"He has free rein to help out as much as he can," Girardi said, according to the New York Post. "I think the advice he will give young players should be something they should listen to."