Girardi Will Let Mariano Rivera Play Center Field If Legendary Closer Desires
HOUSTON (CBSNewYork/AP) — Yankees manager Joe Girardi says Mariano Rivera can play center field this weekend against Houston if he wants to.
The 43-year-old closer, who is retiring Sunday, has said he wants to play in the outfield.
Girardi says "I'll talk to him every day to see what he wants to do. I know he's talked about playing some center field, but I know he has some concerns about his leg. That's really up to him. If he wants to do it, he can do it. I'm OK with it."
Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte, scheduled to make his final career start Saturday before his hometown fans, is excited about the possibility of Rivera roaming the outfield.
Pettitte says: "He's a great athlete and if he's able to do that, it will be fun."
Perhaps, the Yankees will exercise caution given an unfortunate incident that happened at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City in 2012.
Rivera hurt his knee shagging fly balls in pregame practice in Kansas City and missed the majority of that season.
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