Rivera planning to rejoin Yanks

The closer attended the funeral of two of his wife's relatives in Panama.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Physically and emotionally drained after the deaths of two of his wife's relatives, Mariano Rivera planned to be ready to pitch in the American League championship series opener tonight.
"I am going back to New York tomorrow, after the funeral, and rejoin the team," the New York Yankees' closer said Monday outside his home in Panama.
"I am devastated, tired, sad."
Rivera flew home Sunday to be with grieving family after his wife's relatives were electrocuted in his pool.
Following the funeral today, he planned to fly back to New York on a private plane provided by the Yankees.
If Rivera doesn't return, it would be the first time since he became the Yankees' closer in 1997 that Torre wouldn't be able to call on the pitcher widely regarded as the best at his position in postseason history.
History of saving games
Rivera saved a postseason-record 23 straight games beginning with the first of three straight championships in 1998 and ending in Game 7 of the 2001 Series. He has failed to close out a game only three times in 33 postseason opportunities, including Game 2 of the division series against Minnesota last Wednesday.
While it would be a huge blow to the bullpen if Rivera is unavailable, Torre does have Tom Gordon, who led the league with 46 saves in 1998 for Boston.
"We get too late in a game and Mariano is not here, obviously we know what we're going to do," Torre said. "If he's not here tomorrow, and we're in position to save the game, it will be Tom Gordon."
Gordon has been Rivera's primary setup man this season, going 9-4 with a 2.21 ERA and four saves in 80 appearances. With Gordon -- and Paul Quantrill -- in the bullpen, Torre was able to limit Rivera's eighth-inning appearances and helped the closer save a career-high 53 games.
Gordon didn't use the workout day to prepare any differently than he has all season.
I went out and played catch," Gordon said. "I've closed before. I'll just prepare like I do. I just hope everything goes well with his family."
Red Sox scenario
The Red Sox also aren't changing their planning.
"We're going about it as if he's going to be here," Red Sox first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz said.
Against Boston in Game 7 of last year's ALCS, Rivera pitched three scoreless innings in his longest appearance since Sept. 6, 1996. He won the series MVP award.
Early Tuesday, Rivera was to attend the funeral of Victor Dario Avila, a cousin of Rivera's wife, Clara, and Avila's 14-year-old son, also named Victor. The father was electrocuted when he tried to save his son while cleaning the pool at the pitcher's home, officials said.
Rivera learned of the deaths just after the Yankees beat Minnesota 6-5 on Saturday to reach the ALCS, with Rivera getting the win. He flew to Panama hours later.
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