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Report: Mariano Rivera to make spring training debut Saturday

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will reportedly make his spring training debut this weekend. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Yankees closer Mariano Rivera will reportedly make his spring training debut this weekend. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

New York Yankees reliever Mariano Rivera will take the mound for the first time in 10 months when he pitches in a Grapefruit League game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, reports the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

Rivera has not pitched to live batters since suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee when he was catching fly balls in the outfield before a game against the Kansas City Royals on May 3.

Rivera, 42, threw 18 pitches last Thursday in his first simulated game since knee surgery last June.

"I feel good," Rivera said after the outing. "I feel real good. Getting stronger and stronger. That's what I wanted to do, field some bunts, go after some balls in between first and the mound."

Rivera, MLB's all-time saves leader, signed a one-year, $10 million contract in the offseason to remain with the Yankees.