What was meant to be a celebratory afternoon at Yankee Stadium turned somber on Saturday when Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the Yankees’ first Old-Timers’ Day alumni game since 2019.

The 55-year-old Yankees legend went down in shallow center field during an at-bat by Willie Randolph, collapsing after taking a step toward a fly ball. Rivera’s agent, Fernando Cuza, confirmed he will undergo surgery next week in the New York area.

Rivera, MLB’s all-time leader in saves with 652, had moments earlier singled off former teammate Andy Pettitte in his only at-bat. He reached first base without issue, but minutes later was helped off the field after the non-contact injury. Video captured by The Athletic showed Rivera on the ground, grimacing in pain

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