NEW YORK -- Yankees closer Mariano Rivera threw batting practice Saturday for the first time in nearly a month and was pleased with how his strained right shoulder felt.

	Mariano Rivera Relief Pitcher New York Yankees Profile
	2002 SEASON STATISTICS GM W L Sv K ERA 40 1 4 27 39 2.85

Rivera, on the disabled list for the third time this season, threw 31 pitches before New York's game against the Chicago White Sox. He has been sidelined since Aug. 16.

"I feel real good,'' Rivera said. "I was very comfortable. Today helped a lot. I was waiting for good results. I felt strong.''

Rivera faced four Yankees batters, including Shane Spencer.

"He looked good. It's Mo, you've got to be impressed,'' Spencer said. "It'll be nice to see him back out there.''

Rivera, who threw off the mound twice earlier in the week, still isn't sure when he'll return to action. But he plans to be back in time for the postseason.

"To be ready for the playoffs, I have to be able to throw at least two innings first. But the playoffs are not tomorrow,'' Rivera said. "I definitely have to be in a game for a few innings and face some hitters. I'm confident that will happen.''

Rivera expects to throw in the bullpen Monday in Florida before the Yankees open a three-game series against the Devil Rays on Tuesday. He will probably throw batting practice again Tuesday or Wednesday.

"If it goes as well as it did today then we will probably be able to make a plan as to when we can get him in a game,'' manager Joe Torre said.

The Yankees' bullpen has made up for Rivera's absence, converting all 12 save opportunities. Steve Karsay has gotten the bulk of the chances, going 7-for-7.

But New York knows how valuable its clutch closer is in October, and that's why the Yankees want to make sure Rivera is completely healthy before he returns.

Despite losing Game 7 of the World Series last year, Rivera is 6-1 with 24 saves and an 0.80 ERA in his career during the postseason.

"It was exactly what I wanted to see,'' pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said. "He was very free and easy, and he's feeling great. He wasn't throwing as hard as he does in a game, but the ball certainly had life and movement.

"We're remaining very cautious because of the importance that he has to us long-term. If we have him for postseason, we'll feel good that he's at 100 percent. If he's at 90 percent, I don't think we'll have him.''

Stottlemyre was watching for many things.

"I read him a lot, his reactions, his conversations and how he answers things. Today was 100 percent positive,'' Stottlemyre said. "Everything has to flow smoothy the rest of the time, but I am certainly a lot more optimistic than I was before I saw him throw. The quality of his work was better than I expected.''

Rivera is 1-4 with 27 saves and a 2.85 ERA this season. He was sidelined from June 10-25 because of a strained right groin, then went back on the disabled July 26 when his shoulder began hurting.

He came back and pitched five times before going back on the DL.