New York, NY (Sports Network) - The New York Yankees and closer Mariano Rivera have agreed to terms of a one-year contract.
Terms weren't disclosed, but according to the New York Daily News, the deal is worth $10 million guaranteed with incentives that could bring the total package up to the $15 million he made in 2012, the final year of a two-year, $30 million pact.
Rivera only pitched in nine games last season before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while shagging fly balls in the outfield during batting practice before a game in Kansas City on May 3.
The veteran right-hander, who turned 43 on Thursday, had given indications that last season was going to be his final year, but after getting hurt stated that he was not prepared to go out with an injury.
"Like I've been saying, I didn't want to go out like that," Rivera said. "I didn't want that to be the last image."
"But it wasn't an easy decision because there's more than just baseball with me," continued Rivera, who had been contemplating retirement before telling Yankees general manager Brian Cashman earlier this month that he planned to return for 2013.
"I have to consider my family and the church, too. But I feel like we have a great group of guys and a team that can compete for a championship. I'm not just coming back to play. I'm coming back to win."
The 12-time All-Star had five saves with a record of 1-1 and a 2.16 ERA in his nine outings last year. He is the all-time saves leader in MLB history with 608 since breaking into the majors with New York in 1995, and his 42 postseason saves have helped the Yankees to five World Series titles.
