Future murky, but Sabathia set to go
BOSTON — At this point in CC Sabathia’s storied career, the future is uncertain. Will his right knee hold up the rest of the season? Will he need another cleanout procedure at the end of the year?
Sabathia did say he’ll “probably” have to get a knee replacement “at some point” when his career is over.
Nevertheless, the 37-year-old veteran feels fortunate to still be pitching — especially given that he was seriously contemplating retirement after feeling significant pain in his knee and having to leave due to injury on Aug. 8 in Toronto.
But after an MRI came back clean and Sabathia received a cortisone shot, he will come off the disabled list and make his next start on Saturday night at Fenway Park against Red Sox ace Chris Sale.
“I can pitch as long as they want me to,” said Sabathia, whose knee started feeling better a couple days after the shot. “The arm feels really good. The knee feels stable.”
Sabathia had been pain-free in his knee for the last two years. He rediscovered himself after he began wearing a brace and adding a cutter. The pain he felt came out of the blue. It was frustrating. But the tests and the shot gave him peace of mind.
“I’m not doing this for money or anything like that,” Sabathia said. “I’m doing this for fun to try to win a championship, and if I can’t have fun and help this team win then there’s no need for me to be out there.”
Sabathia is 9-5 with a 4.05 ERA in 19 starts.
“I don’t really think about it,” Sabathia replied when asked if he wonders if 2017 could be it for him. “I don’t really worry about it. If it’s the end, it’s the end. It is what it is. I’ll just keep going as long as I’m healthy and try to play.”
Sale has given up three earned runs in his three starts against the Yankees this year. However, the Yankees are 2-1 in those games.
INJURY REPORT
Masahiro Tanaka (shoulder) came away encouraged after throwing a 37-pitch bullpen session. Joe Girardi indicated Tanaka will pitch next week in Detroit, with the exact date to be determined depending how the 28-year-old righty feels. … Clint Frazier (oblique) is behind in his recovery. The Yankees had shut him down from swinging for a week when he was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 10. Frazier is doing exercises, but has still yet to be cleared to swing. … Greg Bird (ankle) hit a pair of homers on Friday night in a minorleague rehab game at Triple-A Scranton. Joe Girardi was asked if Greg Bird (ankle) could return for the Detroit series.
“That’s not something I’ve heard, but sometimes things are based on need,” Girardi said. “I don’t want to rush him.” … Starlin Castro (hamstring) went 0-for-4 with a walk for Triple-A Scranton in his first minor-league rehab game. … Matt Holliday (back) went 0-for-4 with an RBI, a walk and a strikeout for Class A Tampa in his first minor-league rehab game. … As of now, Bird and Castro will alternate between DH and playing the field for Triple-A Scranton at this point in their respective rehabs.