NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees closer Mariano Rivera says he will have surgery Friday to remove polyps from his vocal chords.

Talking Thursday at a charity event, Rivera said the operation at New York-Presbyterian Hospital will prevent him from speaking from a week.

“I don’t like surgery, but the sooner, the better,” Rivera said.

Rivera, who turned 42 on Tuesday, had 44 saves this season to increase his career total to a record 603.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)