Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Yankees are optimistic about completing a deal with Mariano Rivera this week.

Mariano Rivera threw off a mound Friday for the first time since undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee in May. He threw 25 pitches in all. Oddly enough, Rivera made the throws during a commercial shoot on a snow-covered field at Hackley School in Tarrytown, New York. The 42-year-old right-hander recently said that he plans to pitch in 2013, so it's just a matter of him working out a new contract. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported earlier this week that the Yankees will likely ask him to take a paycut from the $15 million he made in 2012.

According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Yankees are expected to ask Mariano Rivera to take a "significant paycut" as part of a new contract. Rivera made $15 million this season, but estimates for a new offer are closer to a $10 million base salary which would likely include incentives to boost his pay. The thought is that the Yankees have leverage, as the 42-year-old right-hander is coming off knee surgery and won't pitch anywhere else.

The New York Post reports Mariano Rivera (knee) will return for the 2013 season. Rivera, out since early May with a torn ACL, was believed to be having second thoughts about possibly retiring. General manager Brian Cashman has confirmed that won't happen and Rivera will be back for a final season. After making $15 million in 2012, the Yankees are expected to re-sign him to a one-year contract this winter.

Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York writes that while it is still "probable" that Mariano Rivera (knee) will return next season, he is having second thoughts about possibly retiring. Rivera vowed to return after tearing the ACL in his right knee back in May and has worked very hard in his rehab, but Yankees manager Joe Girardi hedged when asked about the situation earlier this week. Rivera is a free agent this winter, so Girardi likely didn't want to commit to a player who wasn't signed yet, but the all-time saves leader turns 43 years old next month and has previously said that he wants to go out as an elite player. If he doesn't feel he can do that, it's possible he will call it a career. However, we have a feeling he hasn't thrown his last cutter.

Mariano Rivera (knee) threw long toss Monday. Nice to hear, as Rivera is little over two months removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee. Still, the Yankees aren't expecting him back in 2012.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman reiterated Tuesday that he doesn't think Mariano Rivera (knee) will pitch again this season. Dr. Keith Pyne's comments to the New York Post have created quite a bit of chatter Tuesday, but this is pretty much what we expected Cashman to say. Rivera remains a tremendous long shot to pitch this season, so the Yankees are expecting nothing.

Mariano Rivera underwent ACL surgery Tuesday. The procedure went as planned and was deemed an initial success. Rivera is done for the rest of the season.

Mariano Rivera's ACL surgery has been scheduled for June 12. Rivera's blood clot issue has been resolved, so he's now ready to go under the knife. The future Hall of Famer expects to be completely healed by spring training next year.

Yankees transferred RHP Mariano Rivera from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. It clears a spot on the 40-man roster for Andy Pettitte. Rivera is out for the season with a torn meniscus and ACL in his right knee.