CC Relieved To Be Healthy This Spring

From Chad Jennings:

CC Sabathia always seemed to think he could pitch last season. He went on the disabled list twice, and he through some underwhelming stretches, but Sabathia has a bulldog reputation, and he did his best to live up to it. But after offseason elbow surgery to clean up a bone spur from his left elbow, Sabathia said he can easy feel the difference between health and not healthy.

“I definitely feel a relief,” he said. “Just having that range of motion back and not having that ache at the end of my extension. I felt that right away, so hopefully I can just continue to get better and continue to feel less. After last year, going through what I went through pretty much the whole second half, playing catch so far, it feels a lot better.”

Joe Girardi also commented on his ace lefty:

“He wasn’t 100 percent last year,” Girardi said. “Any time you need surgery at the end of the year, I think it’s fair to say that you weren’t 100 percent. But probably 95 percent of the players that go out there every day aren’t 100 percent. That’s part of the job. You’re going to play with bumps and bruises and injuries that you can still compete with. But I feel better that we were able to address the problem and he’s coming into spring training healthy. He wasn’t overworked last year, so I feel better about it.”

Even today, Sabathia called the elbow issue an “excuse,” while also acknowledging that it was “always there.” Elbow surguries are generally less concerning than shoulder operations, and Sabathia’s was relatively minor, so he’s expected to be fully healthy for this season. Even in a down year, Sabathia reached 200 innings with a 3.38 ERA last season.

“I just want to concentrate on staying healthy,” Sabathia said. “Any kind of numbers I feel will be there if I’m healthy, so that’s the only thing I’m worried about.”

I don't have to tell you, but having a healthy CC Sabathia for the entire season will be huge. With their aging lineup, the Yankees are going to need CC--and the other four starters--to be on top of their game if they want to once again compete for the AL East crown.

CC Has Bone Spur Removed

From Andrew Marchand:

New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur in his left elbow on Thursday. The team announced he is expected to be ready for spring training.

Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery and the club said that no other problems were detected.

"They found a small bone spur," said Yankees GM Brian Cashman. "It was a quick and minor cleanup. We'll take him along slowly through spring training and he'll be ready for Opening Day.''

"Quick and minor" are always good things to hear about any kind of surgery.

CC Headed To See Dr. James Andrews

From George A. King III:

Previous MRI exams on CC Sabathia’s valuable left elbow have not discovered ligament damage that would necessitate Tommy John surgery.

However, the Yankees’ ace will visit noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews this week to get an explanation why his hinge has been inflamed between starts since August.

Because Sabathia has had a bone spur in the elbow since he pitched for the Indians (his last season in Cleveland was 2008), the 32-year-old might require an arthroscopic procedure to shave or remove the spur. Or he could be told to rest.

Since the ligament was clean on tests done in August, the Yankees don’t believe the inflammation is being caused by something that would require reconstructive surgery.

Of course, there always is the chance the spur grew and caused damage to the ligament. Whatever the case, pitchers don’t visit Andrews unless there is something wrong.

Sabathia spent two weeks on the disabled list in August with an inflamed elbow. Yesterday, talking outside of Yankee Stadium, Sabathia said the swelling surfaced following every start he made since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 24.

“A little bit because it’s something I have never felt before, never had a problem with the elbow,’’ Sabathia said of being concerned. “I felt it off and on in between starts. But I didn’t feel it on the field.’’

General manager Brian Cashman decided to send Sabathia to Andrews because he knew Sabathia never would complain about an injury following a poor postseason outing.

Luckily, it seems that this is just precautionary, and at worst he'll just have the bone spur removed. Still, any time Dr. Andrews is brought into the situation it gets a little scary.

CC: I Didn't Give Them A Chance

From Marc Carig:

The moment he released the pitch, a look of disgust swept over the face of CC Sabathia.

The desperate Yankees needed something close to perfection from their ace. But he had just made another mistake, one that Miguel Cabrera turned into a two-run homer and a 4-0 lead. Sabathia winced. It was all he could do as the Tigers pounded him in an 8-1 victory that clinched a sweep of the American League Championship Series.

"It's embarrassing to come out and not give my team a chance to win," Sabathia said. "I pride myself on trying to give us a chance and I didn't do that tonight."

...

Sabathia insisted that his left elbow, which landed him on the disabled list this season, gave him no problems.

"It felt good," he said. "It felt good enough to pitch tonight."

Still, general manager Brian Cashman said the Yankees intend to take no chances.

"Let's put it this way, we're going to look at that elbow, no doubt about it," Cashman said. "That will be on the list of things we have to look at now that the offseason's here. Whether he wants to or not, we're going to go look into this thing and make sure everything's OK."

...

I was terrible today," Sabathia said. "Didn't make pitches. Changeup was a non-factor, fastball command at the end wasn't good."

Out of everyone on the team, CC is the last that deserves any blame. This series was over after game 3, maybe even game 2, and the blame should sit squarely on the hitters.

CC Feels Like He's Letting Everyone Down, And He Is

From Chad Jennings:

“Just all location,” Sabathia said. “I’ve pitched with velo down before. It’s just a matter of me not making pitches. … I feel like I’m letting everybody down, not going out and making pitches I need to make and getting outs and pitching with a lead. We had a 2-0 lead (on Saturday) and I come right back and give it up. That’s not me. Hopefully I can correct this thing and go out and pitch well next time.”

Letting everyone down is even an understatement with the way he's pitched recently. Since July 21st, when the Yankees were 57-37 and 7 games up on the O's in the division, Sabathia is just 3-2 with a 4.15 in 8 starts, and more importantly, the team is just 3-5 in those games. Which isn't the type of performance you want from your $23 million per year "Ace" down the stretch of a season. Not coincidentally, the Yankees have also falling 7 games in the standing since that point.

If the Yankees are going to hold on and win the division, or even make the playoffs, CC is going to have to start earning his salary.

Harper: CC Comes Up Small, Again

From John Harper:

The Yankees have had worse nights during this stretch in which their 10-game lead, not to mention their aura of superiority, has disappeared. But this was surely the most ominous night of them all.

And not because they got jobbed by first base umpire Jerry Meals. Yes, replays showed that Mark Teixeira was easily safe diving into first base to beat a double-play throw on the final play of the game, and, yes, the game should have been tied.

...

Yet down deep the Yankees have to know even a call like that wasn’t as significant, in terms of where they’re headed, as the inability of CC Sabathia to deliver on a night when they badly needed a gem.

But it wasn’t just that he failed to pitch like an ace. The truth is that from a Yankee perspective, Sabathia was painfully ordinary. And that sure feels ominous.

With a fastball that has clearly lost some explosiveness, Sabathia is vulnerable these days, relying on his changeup and slider more than ever. That makes his margin for error considerably smaller, and so when he made mistakes on Saturday night, the Orioles made him pay dearly.

Three home runs later, the concerns about Sabathia linger. He gave up five runs in 6 1 ⁄ 3 innings, as his ERA rose to 3.56, and he just hasn’t been dominant since dealing with a groin pull and some elbow soreness, injuries that twice landed him on the disabled list.

Even Joe Girardi, who protects his players at all costs, admitted Sabathia hasn’t been the pitcher the Yankees expect him to be.

“He’s struggled a little bit this year,’’ he said. “He hasn’t gotten on the roll we’re used to seeing him get on.’’

And let’s face it, the Yankees aren’t going anywhere if this is all Sabathia has to offer the rest of this season.

I completely agree, and if you're are an honest fan I don't see how you can't. The Yankees need CC to be the ace he's supposed to be and he just hasn't been that guy. The Yankees have now lost 5 of the last 8 games CC has started.

Nova To The DL With Shoulder Inflammation

From Marc Carig:

The Yankees placed starting pitcher Ivan Nova on the disabled list today, the team announced, when an MRI exam discovered inflammation in his right rotator cuff.

Nova will not play catch for at least five days. After visiting with team physician Christopher Ahmad in New York, Nova will be prescribed medicine and rest.

Placing Nova on the DL also clears a roster spot for ace lefty CC Sabathia, who is expected to be activated for Friday's series opener against the Indians.

This also allows the struggling Joba Chamberlain to stay on the active roster, which I believe is a mistake. David Phelps will also remain in the rotation until Nova returns.

Sabathia Says He'll Pitch on Friday

From George King:

CC Sabathia will throw his first bullpen session since going on the disabled list today and said he believes he will return Friday in Cleveland.

While manager Joe Girardi would certainly welcome the Yankees’ staff ace back to the rotation the first day Sabathia is eligible, he is waiting to see how the big left-hander does during workouts .

“I will do a bullpen [session today], be off [tomorrow], play catch Monday, another bullpen Tuesday and pitch Friday,’’ Sabathia said following a flat-ground throwing program yesterday afternoon. “I feel good.’’

Girardi also said in the article that he doesn't have a date set for CC's return and is waiting to see how his bullpen goes, but assuming all goes well we'll see Sabathia on Friday or Saturday.

Derek Lowe Should Be Available Out Of The Pen Tonight

From Dan Martin:

The Yankees made Derek Lowe’s signing official Monday and the veteran right-hander is expected to be added to the bullpen for the series opener against the Rangers in The Bronx.

...

Ryota Igarashi was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre to make room for Lowe on the roster.

Lowe, who went 8-10 with a 5.52 ERA in 21 starts with the Indians, will be used as a long reliever while David Phelps replaces CC in the rotation.

CC to the DL..... Yanks Sign Derek Lowe

So apparently a lot happened while I was eating an early dinner....

First, the Yankees announced that CC Sabathia is going on the 15-day DL with left elbow soreness.

“As for our concern, it’s pretty low-level,” Joe Girardi said.

Sabathia had his left arm iced before today’s game, which is not overly unusual for a pitcher. Girardi said pregame that it was a non-issue — “preventative stuff,” he said — and Girardi defended that comment postgame, saying the Yankees really were trying to prevent Sabathia from missing Monday’s scheduled start. The decision to DL him wasn’t made until after today’s game, when Sabathia fought the decision, saying he was healthy enough to pitch Monday.

To add a little depth to the pitching staff, the Yankees then signed Derek Lowe, who was released by the Indians earlier in the week. Joel Sherman is reporting that he has also agreed to pitch out of the bullpen.

CC Sabathia Has Minor Elbow Soreness, Could Miss a Start

CC Set To Return on 7/17

According to Roger Rubin, CC Sabathia will return to the Yankees rotation for their fifth game after the break when they face Toronto on July 17th at Yankee Stadium.

Sabathia threw a 43-pitch bullpen session on Sunday in Boston and felt no discomfort and will throw a high-pitch count simulated game on Friday before resuming his normal routine.

The starting rotation for the beginning of the second half — which starts Friday with three games against the Angels at the Stadium — has (in order) Hiroki Kuroda, Freddy Garcia and Ivan Nova in the first series. Phil Hughes will start the first of three games against the Jays before Sabathia’s turn.

“I’m feeling pretty good. I’m running, doing everything. No problems,” Sabathia said. “I want to get back as soon as I can and help the team. It always (stinks) to go on the DL, but it was something that needed to be done and I feel better now.”

Cano, Granderson & Jeter Are All-Star Game Starters

From MLB.com:

The starting lineups for the 2012 All-Star Game on July 10 at Kauffman Stadium have been named, so get set Kansas City, here they come.

...

The 17 starters announced on the 2012 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell on TBS on Sunday give new meaning to the words "star power." Fans have already won, making a record-setting statement in support of their favorite players, but who will win the game this year?

...

Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, winner of last year's Home Run Derby, got the starting nod for the third consecutive time, his fourth All-Star Game selection.

Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is back in the All-Star Game for the 13th time in his career. The Yankees captain bowed out of last year's game, citing exhaustion from the mental and physical rigors of the pursuit of his 3,000th career hit and the need for rest over the All-Star break.

...

Boston designated hitter David Ortiz is an All-Star for the eighth time. Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson and Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista can each smile knowing that they are both three-time All-Stars and in the starting lineup for the second consecutive year.

Yankees starter CC Sabathia also made the AL squad. Click here for the full AL & NL rosters.

CC Placed on 15-Day DL

The Yankees placed CC Sabathia on the 15-day DL today with a strained left adductor muscle. Here's a little more from the Daily News:

Sabathia said he felt it during his start on Sunday, but didn't tell the team until Tuesday. He gave up five runs - one earned - on nine hits and two walks in 5-2/3 innings against the Mets. It was the first time this season he didn't pitch six complete innings.

Girardi says that CC will likely only two starts and will be replaced in the rotation by Freddy Garcia who will start on Friday.

Girardi on Why He Overmanaged Yesterday's 1st Inning

From Chad Jennings:

Girardi said intentionally loading the bases in the first inning was because of the matchup and because of the opposing starter. CC Sabathia had great numbers against Carlos Pena, and Girardi expected a low-scoring game against James Shields. “Sean Rodriguez has hit (Sabathia) hard,” Girardi explained. “And it’s not something I’ll do a lot in the first inning with CC, but as I said, Shields has been pretty tough on us. … I felt good about CC getting him out, but it didn’t work.”

If you're wondering, here was CC's take:

“I knew I had some success off him, but like I said, it’s a lefty so I knew if I make the right pitches then we get out of it. … It was a lefty, so I felt like it was the right move.”

The problem I had with the move (before the home run happened by the way) goes beyond batting average against and any kind of stat. I just feel that you don't manage games in April like it's October. It's far too early in the season for this kind of crap.

Also, and probably more importantly, CC had no command in that first inning and putting him in a situation against a power hitter who has hurt the Yankees in the past, with no margin for error, was just asking for trouble in my opinion. Pena can also hit a fastball and that was all he saw that at-bat, also due to CC's lack of early command. Luckily, it's only game 1 of a very long 162-game schedule and pretty much meaningless.

CC on Papelbon's Move To Philly

From the NY Daily News:

“I just saw that about an hour ago and I’m not going to miss him,” Yankee ace CC Sabathia said while at the kickoff party for his “CC Challenge” charity scavenger hunt Saturday. “He’s a great pitcher and he was good for them. It just makes the Phillies that much better.

“If our ultimate goal is to win the World Series, I’m sure we’re going to have to see them (Philadelphia) at the end of the season.”

...

“He was a good player,” Sabathia said. “In that rivalry, if you’re a good player, people hate you, whatever side you’re on. I think that’s just a tribute to his talent.”

CC on Staying in The Bronx

From Mark Feinsand:

“I was confident that we would get to an agreement," Sabathia said. "I wanted to stay here. I want to be here. I love it here. I love pitching here. I love being a part of the Yankees organization, and I’m just so happy to be able to come to an agreement.”

Sabathia said he didn't want to go through the free-agent process, something he got a good feel for three years ago before signing with the Yankees.

“It was a big motivation," Sabathia said. "I didn’t want to be a part of being a free agent and doing everything, opting out and doing all that stuff. It was clear to everybody that I wanted to be a Yankee, wanted to end my career as a Yankee, and hopefully I can do that.”

Here are a few other nuggets from Sabathia's conference call:

On his family: “Our family is comfortable here. We have a good time. We love it here. We relax here. This is our home. I never really bought into what was going on or if we would opt out or if we wouldn’t. This is our home. We’re here as a family, and we’ll continue to grow here and be a part of the community.”

On why he loves pitching in New York: “The energy. What you get coming out of the bullpen. The fans, the energy, everything it is to be pitching in New York, in the Bronx. It’s just so much fun, and to be a part of this organization is a dream for me.”

...

On what was most important to him during the negotiations: “It was just more time. That’s all it was. It was never a question about money or anything like that; it was just being more time. I want to end my career here, make sure I end my career as a Yankee. Hopefully I’ve done that.”

Glad he's staying around and even happier it happened so quickly. Now the Yankees can actually focus on improving the team.

Oh Happy Day!

Yanks Preparing Their Pitch To CC

From George A. King III:

The Yankees have put together a contract proposal for CC Sabathia the left-handed ace will receive shortly.

Will it be good enough for Sabathia to not opt out of the final four years and $92 million left on his deal and become a free agent?

Sabathia has until three days after the World Series ends to make his decision. While retaining Sabathia to front a shaky rotation is the Yankees' top priority, there are other less complicated issues in their universe.

...

While the details of the proposal to Sabathia were kept quiet, the club isn't adverse to a five- or six-year deal with a raise over the $23 million he earned this past season.

However, the Yankees may balk if Sabathia requests a seven- or eight-year pact.

If their ace opts out, the Yankees still have the full five days of exclusive negotiation rights with Sabathia. Free agents can begin talking to teams other than their own at midnight five days following the end of the World Series.

If you're Cashman and CC tells the Yankees it's 7 years or I'm signing somewhere else, what would you do?

Yanks Hope To Resign CC Before Opt-Out Deadline

From George A. King III:

By the time two days of meetings in Tampa end tomorrow, the Yankees will develop a plan they hope will keep CC Sabathia from opting out of a contract following the World Series.

General manager Brian Cashman will chair meetings of Yankees brass that will include president Randy Levine, assistant GM Jean Afterman, Billy Eppler, the head of pro scouting, and likely owner Hal Steinbrenner.

Cashman’s new contract could be finalized in Tampa.

“Their hope is to present Sabathia with an offer he is agreeable with before he opts out,’’ said a person with knowledge of the Yankees’ thinking.

Sabathia can opt out of the final four years of a contract, which has $92 million remaining. He has three days following the World Series (which will end no later than Thursday) to opt out and become a free agent.

They probably are trying to avoid any other teams getting involved and bringing up the price, but don't expect CC, and more importantly, his agent to rush the process. They're going to get as much as they possibly can out of this deal.