In the latest episode of “Bronx ER”, NY Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia returns to the IL with inflammation in his right knee.
The Yankees called up left-hander Nestor Cortes, Jr. from AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to replace Sabathia. Aaron Boone mentioned that the Yankees will opt for an “opener” for CC’s next turn in the rotation. Either Cortes or Chance Adams will get the start on Monday against the Kansas City Royals.
Although he will be gone for a minimum of ten days, Boone hopes Sabathia will miss only one start. In the meantime, Sabathia will have his arthritic knee drained.
“It’s something we know we’re going to face at different times throughout the year with CC,” said manager Aaron Boone.
In 8 starts this season, Sabathia is 3-1 with a 3.48 ERA and 1.25 WHIP.
Bronx ER Reprise
Injuries have become an epidemic in the Bronx. The Yankees had 17 players appear on the IL this season. At press time, 14 members of the Yanks are currently on the IL including starting pitchers Luis Severino and James Paxton, who also has a knee issue.
Sabathia is the second player to spend an additional stint on the IL joining Miguel Andujar.
After returning to the lineup for a couple of games, the Yankees sent third baseman Miguel Andujar back on the IL in order to have surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Earlier this week, the Yankees received bad news about designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton injured his leg after getting hit by a pitch in batting practice. Stanton played three games this season before he went on the IL with a biceps strain. While recovering from that injury, he injured his shoulder and stayed on the IL longer than the team wanted. When Stanton finally appeared as though he would finally come off the IL, he incurred a bad beat with a new injury.
Final Season for CC
CC Sabathia started the year serving a five-game suspension for plunking a player on the Tampa Bay Rays in his final start of the 2018 season. The home plate umpire ejected Sabathia after he retaliated when a Ray’s pitcher went headhunting against backup catcher Austin Romine. Sabathia settled the matter using an old-school approach, but he got tossed for his actions.
“That’s for you bitch!” Sabathia shouted at the Rays’ dugout before hitting the showers.
Due to a premature exit, Sabathia missed out on earning a $500,000 bonus for a specific number of innings pitched that season. Despite falling short of the innings mark, the Yankees still made good on his bonus and paid CC $500,000.
Shortly after the 2019 season ended, Sabathia, re-signed with the Yankees for one more season. At 38-years young, CC decided that he would retire at the end of the 2019 season after playing 19 seasons in the big leagues.
Sabathia had minor heart surgery in the offseason, which delayed his spring training sessions. He began the season on the IL while recovering from the procedure.
Against the Arizona Diamondbacks last month, Sabathia joined the exclusive 3,000 Strike Out Club as the 17th player in history to reach that milestone. He became only the third lefty in MLB history to fan 3,000 batters.