Careful Yanks keep CC out of fielding drills
TAMPA — CC Sabathia’s name was included in the list of Yankees pitchers scheduled to participate in pitcher’s fielding practice on the back field Thursday morning when pitchers and catchers opened spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
The veteran lefty took part in the running drills and played catch with bullpen coach Mike Harkey. But when it came time to move to a mound and work on fielding ground balls, covering first base and throwing to bases, Sabathia walked toward the clubhouse with trainer Steve Donohue.
Since Sabathia had right knee surgery following the 2018 season and had a stent inserted into a blocked artery in his heart in December, the Yankees are putting the Hall of Fame candidate in Bubble Wrap to begin what is his final season.
“We’ll keep him out probably first couple of weeks. Around March 1, expect him to get back and start taking part in PFPs and throwing his [bullpen sessions],’’ manager Aaron Boone said of Sabathia, who weighed in at 285 pounds after being listed at 300 on the spring training roster. “He is doing a throwing program and conditioning program behind the scenes. With his knee we want to make sure physically he is in a really good spot before we start ramping him up.’’
Luis Severino threw off a bullpen mound on Thursday for the second straight day ahead of his arbitration hearing, scheduled for Friday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Yankees’ ace filed at $5.25 million and the team countered with $4.40 million.
Dellin Betances’ arrival in camp is being delayed due to his wife, Janisa, giving birth to a boy, Dellin Jr., on Wednesday.
On Thursday, general manager Brian Cashman said he didn’t know when the right-handed reliever would report, but wasn’t concerned about Betances falling behind because relievers don’t need as much work as starters in spring training.
“Everything going well. Wait and see when she is discharged from the hospital,” Boone said. “We expect him here sometime in the next few days. First things first, it’s about getting the baby and everyone home healthy.”