Yanks’ Sabathia has heart procedure for blockage

CC Sabathia underwent a heart procedure, the New York Daily News confirmed from a spokesman from Roc Nation Sports, the agency that represents Sabathia.

The veteran Yankee lefty is expected to make a full recovery.

Sabathia, 38, has a blockage in an artery leading to his heart that doctors said required to insert a stent to open it up, a common procedure known as a angioplasty.

It was an ambulatory procedure, as Sabathia was in and out in just one day.

“CC was experiencing some chest pain which turned out to be a blockage in one artery to his heart,” Sabathia’s agent, Kyle Thousand said in a statement to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, who first broke the news. “A procedure was done to insert a stent to clear the blockage on Dec. 11. CC is doing great and will be reporting to spring training on time to get ready to play for his upcoming final season in 2019.”

Sabathia signed a one-year, $8 million contract in November to return for his 11th season in pinstripes.

“He’s home, he’s fine and should be good to go for spring training.” said the spokesman.

DODGERS TRADE PUIG, KEMP

The Los Angeles Dodgers shook up their National League-championship roster, trading Yasiel Puig, Matt Kemp and left-hander Alex Wood and cash to the Cincinnati Reds for right-hander Homer Bailey, who threw a pair of no-hitters before three major arm operations sidetracked his career.

The Dodgers also get minor leaguers Jeter Downs and right-hander Josiah Gray.

The deal gives Los Angeles a couple of prospects and a couple of slots to fill. For the Reds, it’s another move toward becoming competitive after four straight 90-loss seasons.

“We still have (financial) resources to make this team better — we’re not done yet,” said Dick Williams, the Reds’ president of baseball operations. “We did trade some good prospects here, but we acquired four major league players that address needs for us and I think we’re better in the short-term.”

Last week, the Reds traded pitching prospect Tanner Rainey to the Nationals for 32-year-old starter Tanner Roark, who led the National League in losses last season while going 9-15 with a 4.34 ERA.

Cincinnati didn’t know what to do with Bailey, who went 1-14 last season with a 6.09 ERA and resisted a move to the bullpen. He has one year left on his contract and is owed $28 million.

Wood gives the Reds another upgrade to their young rotation, which has been their biggest weakness the last two seasons. He was an All-Star for the Dodgers in 2017, going 16-3 with a 2.72 ERA. He was 9-7 last season with a 3.68 ERA in 27 starts and six relief appearances.

KELLY OFFICIAL

Joe Kelly helped the Boston Red Sox win a World Series title. His next goal is to try to win one for the team he grew up rooting for and defeated this October.

The Dodgers officially announced signing Kelly to a three-year deal worth $25 million that brings the 30-year old right-hander back to Southern California. Kelly was born in Anaheim and grew up in Corona, where most of his family still resides.

“It is one of those things where I am at a point in my career where I have tons of family that is local. I also wanted to be on a team that wins year in and year out,” Kelly said during a conference call.

Kelly leaves Boston, who acquired him from St. Louis in July 2014. He is expected to be a setup man for closer Kenley Jansen, who is still recovering from an offseason heart procedure.

Upgrading setup and middle relief was one of the Dodgers’ priorities during the offseason.

“The reliever market has been interesting to see. For teams that are championship-caliber, that’s a big role and it doesn’t get magnified until the playoffs,” Kelly said. “Without a good bullpen it is very hard to win a World Series.”

Kelly made the fourth-most appearances in the American League last season (73) and was 4-2 with a 4.39 ERA and two saves. His numbers improved greatly during the postseason as he allowed just one earned run in 11 1/3 innings with 13 strikeouts and no walks.