"Soon after doctors discovered that polyps had grown on Mariano Rivera's vocal cords, they assured the Yankees closer that they were almost certainly benign. Yet, Rivera admitted that true relief came only after tests confirmed that the polyps were non-cancerous.

"I was worried about something else, even though the doctor says it doesn't look like it," Rivera said this morning, in his first public comments since undergoing throat surgery on Dec. 2. "But I had peace when the results came and everything was negative. Thank God, everything's good. I'm just trying to get ready for spring training."

In six weeks, pitchers and catchers report to Tampa, and the 42-year-old Rivera intends to be there. The all-time saves leader has just one more follow-up appointment with doctors, during which he hopes to get the green light to begin preparing for his 18th major league season."