Yankees closer Rivera undergoes surgery

Oct 7, 2008 - 5:00 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday and is expected to be ready for the start of spring training in February.

The procedure, considered to be a minor surgery, was performed by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

The 38-year-old Rivera had another solid season this year, converting 39 of 40 save opportunities while posting a 6-5 record with a team-best 1.40 ERA. He appeared in a team-high 64 games.

Despite posting one of the best seasons of his career, Rivera revealed in late September that he had pitched nearly the entire year in pain. Tests revealed inflammation and calcification on top of the AC joint.

"I think this is what Mo feels most comfortable with," New York manager Joe Girardi told the team's web site. "Fortunately for us, it's not something like when you hear shoulder, you hear rotator cuff or labrum. It's not that. It's a little calcium deposit that they just shave down."

Earlier in the season, Rivera passed Lee Smith to move into second place on the all-time saves list. He has 482 career saves and trails only San Diego's Trevor Hoffman (554).