Sabathia moves closer to return

CC Sabathia hopes to come off the disabled list as soon as he is eligible Saturday.

The Yankees left-hander threw a bullpen session before Monday’s Subway Series opener against the New York Mets and said his right knee felt much better.

“I was cutting it loose at the end,” he said. “Very encouraged.”

Sabathia left a start at Toronto in pain last Tuesday with knee inflammation. The following day he had cortisone, platelet rich plasma and Synvisc injections.

He threw about 30 pitches Monday and plans to throw another bullpen in a few days.

“A big difference from where I was last Tuesday,” he said.

Sabathia is 9-5 with a 4.05 ERA in 19 starts. He pitches with a brace because of the knee, which was repaired with surgery in July 2014 and again last October.

Before last week, he had not had pain injections since the operation last fall. He said additional shots might be necessary this season.

Strasburg looks sharp: Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg struck out five and allowed three hits and one walk in a rehab start for the Class A Potomac Nationals.

Facing the Salem Red Sox, Strasburg showcased good command of his fastball and good movement on his curveball as he allowed one earned run.

The plan was for Strasburg to throw about 75 pitches in five innings.

Strasburg has been on the disabled list with a nerve impingement in his right elbow since July 27. He left two innings into his last start on July 23 at Arizona and has been working to get back since.

Honor roll: The Minnesota Twins will induct former outfielder Michael Cuddyer and former general manager Andy MacPhail into their Hall of Fame this weekend.

Cuddyer and MacPhail will become the 29th and 30th members of the Twins Hall of Fame.

Cuddyer will be inducted during an on-field pregame ceremony on Saturday and MacPhail on Sunday when the Twins host Arizona at Target Field.

Rod Carew will present the Twins Hall of Fame jacket to Cuddyer and MacPhail at both of the ceremonies.