Legendary Hall of Fame Returns to Yankees as Bullpen Coach After Team’s 23rd-Ranked Relief Season

New York, New York – October 18, 2025

The New York Yankees received an unexpected but welcome sight on Saturday morning as Mariano Rivera — the Hall of Fame closer and franchise icon — was spotted at Yankee Stadium ahead of the team’s offseason workouts. Rivera’s presence immediately fueled speculation about his official return to the organization, with multiple sources confirming that he is set to join the Yankees’ coaching staff as Bullpen Coach for the 2026 season, replacing Mike Harkey.

Rivera’s return comes at a time when the Yankees’ bullpen has been under significant scrutiny. In 2025, New York’s relief corps ranked 23rd out of 30 MLB teams, posting a 4.68 ERA and blowing 32 save opportunities — one of the worst marks in the American League. The group also allowed a collective .251 opponent batting average and recorded a strikeout rate below the league average (8.3 K/9). Once considered a cornerstone of the Yankees’ success, the bullpen’s regression became a central reason behind the team’s struggles to close games in late innings.

The decision to bring Rivera back is viewed as both symbolic and strategic. Over his 19-year career, Rivera set the MLB record with 652 career saves and a 2.21 ERA, maintaining unmatched consistency across two decades. His postseason numbers — a 0.70 ERA and 42 saves — remain benchmarks for dominance under pressure. Team officials hope his technical insight and mental approach can restore confidence and structure to a bullpen that has lacked both in recent seasons.

During his appearance, Rivera was seen interacting with pitchers Clay Holmes and Jonathan Loáisiga, offering mechanical observations and advice on pitch sequencing. According to team insiders, Rivera’s approach will emphasize composure and situational awareness — qualities that defined his own success. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman described the move as “a step toward rebuilding identity,” noting that the bullpen’s struggles “have been as much mental as mechanical.”

For the Yankees, Rivera’s return represents more than nostalgia. It’s a calculated effort to reconnect the team’s current roster with its historical standard of excellence. Whether the league’s greatest closer can help transform one of baseball’s most inconsistent bullpens remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Yankees are turning back to their past to fix their future.