Mariano Rivera has been announced as the 2013 Comeback Player of the Year in the American League. He's obviously a deserving winner. After being limited to nine appearances in 2012 due to a knee injury, Rivera posted a 2.11 ERA while converting 44 of 51 save chances for the Yankees. The all-time saves leader, of course, has retired from baseball.

Mariano Rivera said he's "done" and doesn't plan to play at all this weekend against the Astros. "I'm done," Rivera told reporters before Saturday's game. It means Thursday's appearance at Yankee Stadium was the last of his season and of his career. It's a fitting end for Mo, leaving the image of him walking off to a standing ovation in front of his home crowd as the lasting memory of his final game.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi indicated Friday that legendary closer Mariano Rivera could appear in center field during one of the final games against the Astros. Girardi also noted that Rivera would be allowed to dictate how he is used over the weekend. We saw on Friday, that with a save opportunity the Yankees went to David Robertson instead of Mo, perhaps a sign that Rivera's emotional exit from Thursday's game could be the final time we see him take the mound. His entire career, Rivera has shagged fly balls during batting practice, displaying excellent skills and range, and it would be a nice touch to get him a chance out there during the final game of the season.

Mariano Rivera retired all four batters he faced Thursday in his final appearance at Yankee Stadium. Rivera came in with one out in the eighth and the Yankees down 4-0 and left with two outs in the ninth, as Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte made the change in an emotional scene. It wasn't the save situation Rivera likely would have preferred, but the way things unfolded was pretty touching. After the game, Rivera went out and collected some mound dirt before walking off the field a final time.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he is "absolutely" considering letting Mariano Rivera in center field this weekend against the Astros. Girardi isn't going to do it Thursday against the Rays because the game has playoff implications. Ideally, Rivera will play center field in the eighth inning of a game before staying in to get a save chance in the ninth inning, but that's not necessarily how it will go down. Still, it will be fascinating to watch.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that Mariano Rivera and David Robertson are unavailable Friday against the Red Sox. Rivera has pitched four out of the last five days while Robertson has thrown 43 pitches over the past two days, so they'll both get a rest. Girardi will have to play the matchups in the late innings.

Mariano Rivera was credited with the victory Thursday after pitching a scoreless ninth as the Yankees beat the Orioles 6-5. Rivera thought he was coming in for the save in the game, but the official scorer threw a changeup, giving him the win instead. That's because David Robertson, who would have been in line for the victory, gave up three runs in the eighth, rendering him ineffective. It was the correct call to deny Robertson the win, but it was still surprising to see a save taken off the board for Rivera. He'd probably prefer the save to the win.

Mariano Rivera blew his seventh save Sunday against the Red Sox, but he ended up earning his fifth win. He's blown two straight saves, but had strung together eight straight scoreless appearances before that. Joe Girardi called on Rivera in the eighth inning with a 3-2 lead. Mo completed that frame without incident, but surrendered a leadoff homer to Will Middlebrooks in the ninth. Over two innings, the legend struck out three. Rivera is 41-for-48 in save conversions and boasts a 2.28 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.

Mariano Rivera blew his sixth save after giving up a run in the ninth Thursday against the Red Sox. Rivera got the first two batters in the ninth, but he gave up a single to Mike Napoli to extend the inning. Quintin Berry entered a pinch-runner and immediately attempted a steal, ending up on third when Austin Romine's throw skipped into center field. Stephen Drew then tied it with another single. The run was declared earned in the official scorer's judgment; it was the right assumption that Berry would have scored from second on Drew's hit. Rivera's six blown saves are his most since 2003. Of course, he's still 41-for-47, with a 2.19 ERA.

Mariano Rivera reiterated that he won't change his mind about retiring after this season. Joe Girardi started the conversation anew on Tuesday, as ESPN quoted him as saying the skipper would, "make sure (retiring) is really what (Rivera wants) to do." Rivera squashed the discussion before it burst aflame. "I already told you guys. I don't want to come back like that again," Rivera said. "I made my decision. They can do whatever they want. That's fine. I don't tell (Girardi) what to do. But on my behalf, I already made my decision in spring training."