Yanks’ Sabathia happy with second spring start

Tampa, Fla. — CC Sabathia was upbeat after allowing one run and four hits over four innings Thursday in the New York Yankees' 2-2, nine-inning tie against the Detroit Tigers.

"I felt great," the 37-year-old lefthander said. "If I feel like I felt today all year. I feel like I'll be pretty good. That's encouraging."

Sabathia, who wears a brace on his surgically repaired right knee, was 14-5 with a 3.69 ERA in 29 starts last season in his best season since 2012. He has adjusted to decreased velocity.

"I feel pretty comfortable with the stuff that I have," Sabathia said.

Sabathia walked one and struck out one during his 64-pitch outing, his second spring training appearance.

"Felt great about what I saw," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. "I thought he commanded his pitches. A real nice step forward for him on his way.

Sabathia likely will make his first regular-season start during the opening four-game series at Toronto.

• AL Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge will earn $622,300 in the major leagues as part of his one-year contract with the New York Yankees. Judge, who led the AL with 52 home runs, is not eligible for salary arbitration until after the 2019 season. He agreed to a split contract in which his salary would drop to $272,250 in the unlikely event he is sent back to the minors.

• Prospect Gleyber Torres, a candidate to start at second base, was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre after hitting .160 in 11 games.