Mariano Rivera didn’t show up in 1996 on his own program. In those days he did everything all the other pitchers did — including making road trips.

Now, the 41-year-old closer knows exactly what it takes to get ready for a season, and he has been so good for the past five seasons going at his own pace that the Yankees let him dictate his spring training workload.

“I used to do everything,” Rivera said yesterday morning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. “Now, I try to pace myself. It has been that way for the last six years. I know what I need to get ready.”

Rivera will make his spring debut today against the Twins at GMS Field. Figure on five to six more one-inning outings for Rivera to declare himself ready for his 17th big league season and 15th as the Yankees’ closer.

The Yankees can’t argue with Rivera not throwing at the beginning of camp or not having a road uniform because the numbers are staggering.

In the past six years, Rivera has converted 223 of 242 save chances (92 percent). That’s better than his 89 percent (559-for-626) career mark.

Those 559 saves put him 42 behind all-time leader Trevor Hoffman. Tying or going by Hoffman isn’t impossible this season but Rivera has saved more than 42 games twice in the past six years; 43 in 2005 and 44 in 2009.

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Chien-Ming Wang
has not pitched since 2009 with the Yankees, but the sinkerballer remains confident he can return to the majors with the Nationals. He threw a bullpen session yesterday as he attempts to overcome a shoulder injury. He suffered a setback this spring and it’s unclear when he will pitch in a game.

“It’s been a long time, but I’ve been patient,” Wang, 30, said. “I’m listening to my body.”

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First baseman Jorge Vazquez
continued his torrid spring, going 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs in the 6-5 loss to the Nationals. Vazquez is now hitting .480 with three home runs, but he has little chance of making the major league team.

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Rafael Soriano
is expected to pitch today, the first time he and Rivera will appear in a game together. . . . Yankees manager Joe Girardi
scratched Eric Chavez
from the trip because he didn’t think a two-hour bus ride would be good for someone with Chavez’s injury history, but the infielder is healthy. . . . Former Yankee Alfredo Aceves
is scheduled to start for the Red Sox tomorrow against the Yankees in Fort Myers.