Red Sox Place Hanrahan on 60-Day DL

Robert Rogers/MLB Photos via Getty Images(BOSTON) -- The Boston Red Sox transferred closer Joel Hanrahan from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL Thursday.

Hanrahan has an injured right elbow and has been sent to Birmingham, Ala. to meet with Dr. James Andrews.

Hanrahan left Monday's win over the Twins in the ninth inning after serving up the game-tying home run to Brian Dozier. The injury was originally thought to be forearm stiffness but now there is worry that he could have a torn ulnar collateral ligament, which would require Tommy John Surgery.

Either way Hanrahan is expected to miss at least two months.

"A healthy Joel Hanrahan getting injured is a blow for anyone,'' Red Sox manager John Farrell said, "and a guy who's been a very successful pitcher, I don't know that you can necessarily just replace a guy of his ability and talents.

"But regardless of the injuries we're dealing with right now, our expectation and our level of play shouldn't be compromised by that. That's the expectation here, to go out every night to prepare and put a game together to win.''

Pitcher Jose De La Torre has been called up from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Hanrahan's place.

With both Hanrahan and Andrew Bailey on the DL, Farrell has named Junichi Tazawa the closer.

In nine appearances this season, Hanrahan has a 9.82 ERA, 2.18 WHIP and four saves.

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Rivera Throws Simulated Game

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(TAMPA, Fla.) -- New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera pitched one-inning of a simulated game Thursday.

The 43-year-old, 12-time All-Star threw 18 pitches in the outing. He also fielded balls off the mound for the first time since he had ACL surgery on his right knee last May.

"That's what I wanted to do, field some bunts, go after some balls in between first and the mound, and just plant and throw," Rivera said. "It feels good, guys, it feels real good. It was perfect."

Rivera, who is entering his 19th season with the Yankees, is Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader with 608.

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Athletics Closer Grant Balfour has Knee Surgery

Robert Binder/MLB Photos via Getty Images(PHOENIX) -- Oakland Athletics closer Grant Balfour had successful right knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus Thursday.

The rehabilitation is expected to last four to six weeks leaving Balfour hopeful he can be ready for the start of the regular season.

"I feel good about getting it done now," Balfour said. "It will allow me to get ready for Game 1 of the season. I knew the way I was feeling I wouldn't have been able to pitch through it all season long."

Athletics skipper Bob Melvin said Balfour had experienced soreness in the knee at the end of last season, but the pain had subsided in the offseason. Balfour felt pain before his bullpen session on Wednesday, prompting the A's to send him for an MRI that exposed the tear.

The 35-year-old Balfour compiled 24 saves to go along with a 2.53 ERA and a .92 WHIP last season.

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ESPN: Rivera Agrees to Terms with Yankees

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(NEW YORK) --- The New York Yankees have agreed to a one-year $10 million contract, plus incentives, with closer Mariano Rivera, according to sources who spoke to ESPN.

The 43-year-old Rivera played in only nine games in 2012, and had season-ending knee surgery in June.

Rivera, baseball's all-time saves leader, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in May while shagging fly balls during batting practice in Kansas City. He had been debating if he should come back but notified the team earlier in November that he wanted to return.

Rivera has a lifetime 2.21 ERA, with 608 saves and a 1.00 WHIP during his 18-year career with the Yankees.

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Mariano Rivera Wants to Pitch

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera says he wants to pitch in 2013.

The 43-year-old Yankees' great tore his ACL in Kansas City in May while catching fly balls.

He originally said he wouldn't retire on an injury but as time went on there were reports that disputed that claim.

 Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was contacted by Rivera on Friday. Cashman plans on starting negotiations with Rivera's agent Fernando Cuza on a new contract.

"I got a call from him saying he wants to play," Cashman said Saturday. "I'm not surprised. It's now up to Cuza and me to talk on the phone and work the details out. At the end of the day, we'll do that. He wasn't certain; now he is. "

Rivera has 608 career saves and is Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader.

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Reds Will Rest Aroldis Chapman

Rob Carr/Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman will be shut down for a few days to help recover from shoulder fatigue.

Chapman, who usually throws 100 mph, has had a drop in velocity his past couple of games. During Monday's 14-inning game versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chapman walked three of the five batters he faced, and was taken out of the game in the middle of an inning for the first time this season. He was examined later and it was determined he had a tired shoulder.

Chapman has been dominating this season, converting 35 of 40 save opportunities. He's posted a 1.60 ERA, .80 WHIP and has struck out 119 batters in 67.2 innings.

Reliever Jonathan Broxton, who was the closer for the Kansas City Royals this season before being traded to the Reds, is expected to be first option at closer until Chapman returns.

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Brad Lidge Designated for Assignment

Major League Baseball(WASHINGTON) -- The Washington Nationals designated pitcher Brad Lidge for assignment Sunday.

The 35-year-old reliever signed a one-year $1 million contract with the team before the season.

Lidge, who has 225 career saves, went on the disabled list in late April to have sports hernia surgery. He returned to action on June 8, but could never get it together. In 11 appearances this season, he had a 9.64 ERA to go along with 11 walks and 10 strikeouts.

Besides his time with the Nationals, Lidge has pitched for the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies. In 2008, he didn't blow a single save in the regular season or the postseason, helping the Phillies to their first World Series title since 1980.

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Jays Put Francisco on DL

Major League Baseball(TORONTO) -- The Toronto Blue Jays have placed outfielder Ben Francisco on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring strain.

Francisco has had a tough first season in Toronto. He is currently hitting .206 with no home runs or RBIs, while only playing in 16 games.

Toronto has called up third baseman David Cooper from Triple-A Las Vegas. Through 42 games with Las Vegas, Cooper has hit .298, with six home runs and 34 RBIs.

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Chris Perez Wants Indians Fans at Ballpark

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images(CLEVELAND) -- Chris Perez just wants a little love. The Cleveland Indians closer is looking for more fans to show up at the baseball park, to support the AL Central leading Indians.

"The fans are going to come, I know that," Perez said. "It's just a slap in the face when you're in first place and last in attendance. Last. Not 25th or 26th. Last."

While team president Mark Shapiro disagrees with Perez's comments, he thinks he understands were they're coming from.

"He's been one of the more dominant closers," Shapiro said. "What drives him to succeed in that role are emotion and competitiveness and passion, and I think a lot of that was behind what he said."

The Indians currently have a 23-18 record and a two-and-a-half game lead over the Chicago White Sox.

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Aceves to Start Season as Sox Closer

Rob Carr/Getty Images(DETROIT) -- Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine announced Wednesday, Alfredo Aceves will begin the season as the teams closer. The 29-year-old right-hander has four saves during his four major league seasons.

"He loves competition," Valentine said. "He's one of the best competitors I've seen. I could be wrong. I haven't seen him up close and personal in battle. But he's a very good competitor, to say nothing of being a very good pitcher."

Aceves has been thrust into the role because original closer Andrew Bailey will have surgery on his right thumb. Bailey isn't expected back until after the All-Star break.

If Aceves struggles, the Red Sox have pitchers with some closing experience. Mark Melancon saved 20 games for the Astros last season, left-hander Franklin Morales had seven saves in 2009 for the Rockies and Vincente Padilla was three for three in save opportunities with the Dodgers last season.

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