US President Donald Trump tossed baseballs with Hall of Fame pitcher Mariano Rivera on Thursday to mark the beginning of the baseball season, which was delayed due to the coronavirus. "You had a pitch that broke a lot of bats," Mr Trump told the retired New York Yankees relief pitcher, according to <em>Reuters</em>, as a number of Little League baseball players played catch. Mr Trump had awarded Rivera the presidential medal of freedom last year. "I watched many [games] sitting with George, good old George who is watching you right now, who is very proud of you," Mr Trump said of the late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Asked about Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto testing positive for the coronavirus, Mr Trump said he believed Soto will recover. "They're going to be able to take care of it," he said. The President also revealed he will throw out the first pitch when the New York Yankees host the Boston Red Sox at the Yankee Stadium on August 15. Mr Trump has yet to throw out a first pitch while serving as President.