TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Yankees closer Mariano Rivera threw 18 pitches in his first simulated game since knee surgery last year. The 43-year old pitched one inning against Yankees' minor-league players. He also fielded bunts and covered first base.
Rivera pitched in 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 on June 12.
