Yankees News: Rivera’s surgery, Gardner and Robertson near return, Draft completed

Much of the news this week surrounding the New York Yankees off the field has involved the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft and the rehab process of Brett Gardner and David Robertson. Yesterday, we received information on the status of future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera.

Rivera, who suffered a season ending torn ACL while shagging flies during a batting practice session in Kansas City, was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right calf while determining the extent of his ACL injury. He needed to allow the clot to heal before any surgery could be performed. Now that the clot is gone, his surgery has been set for June 12th and will be performed by Dr. David Altchek, the Mets’ medical director, according to Steven Miller of MLB.com.

Rivera, dismissed any notion that he could return this season, though he said this about pitching next season.

"There’s no doubt about that, God willing. I always believe in miracles, a lot of good things. We’ve got to get it fixed first."

ROBERTSON TO THROW BATTING PRACTICE TODAY

The next step in David Robertson’s return has finally arrived. He will throw batting practice today at Yankee Stadium before the Yanks play the series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays. Provided he comes out of the session without issues, he could begin a rehab assignment on Sunday in the minors.

GARDNER IN MINOR LEAGUE GAME TODAY

Brett Gardner is set to play in a minor league game today with Class-A Tampa. He had five at-bats in a simulated spring training game on Tuesday and reported being stiff on Wednesday, but it most likely is from general movements live at-bats take on versus batting practice. Manager Joe Girardi left open the chance that Gardner could be activated for Sunday’s game against the New York Mets.

DRAFT COMPLETED

The Yankees made their final 25 selections yesterday culminating the three-day 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft. After two days of selecting an abundance of college players, the Yankees continued to balance older talent with younger bodies. Of note, was the signing of high school right-hander Jose Mesa Jr. in the 24th round, the son of former major league closer Jose Mesa, who saved 321 games in his career. Later today, I’ll provide a detailed analysis of the Yankees’ draft plan; determining whether they fulfilled their goals and describing the strength of the Yankees’ farm system.

MORE TO COME

Also today on Yanks Go Yard, Jimmy Kraft will delve into Curtis Granderson‘s development into a home run hitter after he touched bottom in 2011.