Yankees' star closer has shoulder surgery

NEW Y ORK, N.Y., Oct. 7 (UPI) -- New York Yankees star closer Mariano Rivera had surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday and is expected to resume throwing in three months.

Dr. David Altchek performed the operation at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Rivers, 38, pitched with discomfort throughout the 2008 campaign but still converted 39-of-40 save opportunities and had a 6-5 record with a 1.40 earned-run average.

After tests taken on Rivera's shoulder revealed inflammation and calcification, the reliever opted for surgery rather than a series of periodic cortisone injections.

In 14 career seasons -- all with the Yankees -- Rivers has appeared in 851 games, which includes 10 starts in his rookie campaign in 1995. He has a 68-49 record with 482 saves, good for second best all-time behind San Diego's Trevor Hoffman (554).

Rivers is signed through the 2010 season with New York, which missed the playoffs for the first time since 1993.