Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera has decided the 2013 season will be his last.

Rivera, baseball's all-time saves leader with 608, made the announcement on Saturday morning with his family by his side at the Yankees' spring training complex.

"It's not too easy when you come to a decision like this," said Rivera, who first joked that he had received a contract extension. "It has been a privilege and an honor to wear the pinstripes that I have proudly worn for so many years."

The 43-year-old right-hander had given strong indications that he was likely going to call it a career after the 2012 campaign. However, he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while shagging fly balls during batting practice before a May 3 game against Kansas City and missed the remainder of the season.

Rivera initially said he would return for 2013 because he did not want to go out with an injury. He then reportedly was unsure before telling Yankees general manager Brian Cashman in November that he would indeed come back.

The 12-time All-Star appeared in just nine games last season and managed five saves with a 2.16 earned run average and a 1-1 record. He had registered at least 28 saves in 15 consecutive years prior to 2012.

Rivera, set to make his first spring training appearance on Saturday, has been even more dominant in the postseason, winning five World Series titles with the Yankees while posting 42 saves and a 0.70 ERA in 141 innings over 96 games.

Included in his postseason heroics was a record 33 1/3-inning scoreless streak, the 1999 World Series MVP and 2003 ALCS MVP.

The Sports Network