Mariano: 'I'm not going down like this'

Mariano Rivera

yankees.com:  KANSAS CITY -- Hold the music on "Exit Sandman." Mariano Rivera's right knee injury may be season-ending, but he vows it will not end his career.

Rivera, the game's all-time saves leader, tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee on Thursday. He said on Friday that he plans to do everything in his power to come back for another season.

"I'm coming back," Rivera said. "Write it down in big letters. I'm not going down like this. God willing and given the strength, I'm coming back." By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

Jasper's thoughts:  "I think that is really tough for both the Yankees and Mo.  I have tremendous respect for Mariano Rivera, and I am sad to see his season end like this."

Cook to start Saturday in place of Beckett

redsox.com:  BOSTON -- The Red Sox aren't letting right-hander Aaron Cook leave the organization.

On the day Cook could choose to request his release, Sox manager Bobby Valentine said Wednesday that Cook will make his first big league appearance of the year on Saturday as a starter, in place of Josh Beckett, who has lat tightness.

Valentine didn't say which side was bothering Beckett during his WEEI radio interview.  By Evan Drellich / MLB.com

Jasper's thoughts:  "It's smart to give Cook a chance as a starter.  Bobby V. needs to give im a chance, he's done very well at AAA, and of one of our starters gets hurt, Cook is our next best starter.  For that reason, we wouldn't want him opting out of his contract."

Red Sox promote top prospect Middlebrooks

Will Middlebrooks

redsox.com:  BOSTON -- Boston's top prospect has been called up to the Majors and will make his Fenway Park debut Wednesday night.

Will Middlebrooks, a 23-year-old third baseman with power, was added to the 25-man roster on Wednesday, manager Bobby Valentine said during his weekly radio spot with WEEI in Boston. Kevin Youkilis, the team's regular at the hot corner and a Red Sox mainstay, has not played in the past three games because of back tightness.

Lars Anderson was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket to make room on the roster. Middlebrooks will be in the starting lineup Wednesday for the Red Sox, who will face the A's in the rubber match of a three-game series at 7:10 p.m. ET.   By Evan Drellich / MLB.com

Jasper's thoughts:  "The Sox are going to need Middlebrooks down the stretch.  Youk has been having   bad injury problems lately, and if those continue, The veteran third basemen could be traded by the deadline."