Major League Baseball

Rivera throws BP for first time

Published Feb. 22, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera has thrown batting practice for the first time since knee surgery last year.

The 43-year old Rivera threw 25 pitches Friday and said he was happy with the results. He expects to be ready when the Yankees open the regular season April 1 against Boston.

Rivera was limited to nine games last year, his season ending when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while tracking down a fly ball during batting practice in Kansas City on May 3. He had surgery to repair the injury on June 12.

Rivera is a 12-time All-Star with 608 saves in the regular season and 42 more in the postseason.