C.C. Sabathia’s longstanding right knee problems reared their head again Friday, when the southpaw exited after just three innings in a loss to the Athletics. The Yankees announced that Sabathia departed with knee discomfort, and the 39-year-old was “dejected” afterward, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Sabathia still hopes to pitch again this season, though, and will have his knee drained and potentially undergo a cortisone shot in hopes of making a quick recovery, Feinsand reports.
There is plenty at stake for Sabathia as the season winds down. The possible Hall of Famer’s set to retire at the end of the campaign, for one, so he obviously doesn’t want his illustrious career to conclude with an injury. Beyond that, Sabathia’s aiming to help pitch the Yankees to a World Series title, which would be their second since they inked him to a mega-deal as a free agent heading into the 2009 season.
As great as Sabathia has been during his Yankees tenure, it no longer looks as if the longtime workhorse has much left in the tank. Sabathia’s knee, on which he has undergone surgery multiple times, has already forced him to the IL on three occasions this year. When he has taken the mound, Sabathia has had difficulty going deep into games, having amassed 100 1/3 innings over 20 starts. Sabathia has also had uncharacteristic trouble preventing runs. He owns a below-average 4.93 ERA/5.96 FIP – both of which represent massive steps backward relative to his career and the numbers he put up just a year ago (3.65/4.16).
Of course, Sabathia’s hardly the lone member of New York’s starting staff who has come up shy of expectations in 2019. With the exception of Domingo German, the same also applies to every other regular starter the Yankees have run out (Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton and J.A. Happ). Because of the vulnerability of the Yankees’ rotation, there’s skepticism regarding their chances of hoisting the Commissioner’s Trophy in a couple months and sending Sabathia out on a high note.
They have zero chance if winning it all. Not enough starting pitching.
They have more than a zero percent chance.
Maybe .0001% chance with that pitching staff.
Lol throw in the towel, guys. Todd says it’s over.
but they have a great bullpen which will be pitching a majority of their innings during the postseason
Vegas disagrees, they have the Yankees as the third most likely team to win it all, and certainly a lot higher than your IQ; zero.
They have mlb and the umpires on their side. It has been predetermined that they will win it all this year. It is what’s best for baseball.
can you prove any of your conspiracy theories? i’ll save you the trouble: no you cant
I’d stay away from IQ jokes if your argumentation consists of citing Vegas odds.
My lord guys!! The Yankees have had 2/3 of their starting line up on the injured list for over half the year. They are around 40 games over. .500. I’d say they will be right in the thick of things.
Excuses, excuses.
Well I totally believe you Todd since you are a Total Zero
He’s probably telling his knees to “hold it for two more month!” and so are we!
I think Sabathia is a definite Hall of Famer, but I suppose it is justified in calling him a “possible Hall of Famer.”
I want him to pitch in 2020. I like it when guys play past 40, and I want him to climb the wins list. But I know he won’t.
I think he would, but I don’t think he is physically capable of pitching another year, I mean it seems like he was pushing it to pitch this year. He is a definite HOF’er. Zero chance he doesn’t get in.
He already announced at the start of the season that this will be his last year.
people change their minds though. we’ve seen it happen many times with athletes
There’s a near zero chalice that he DOESN’T retire. He knows it’s overt.
I mean, I agree. CC is probably done. I’ve just seen time and time again where an athlete announces their retirement and then comes out of retirement/backs out of retiring
Hey truth and adamonth-I totally agree with you that CC will be enshrined in Cooperstown. A statement of the class of the Yankee organization and a testimony of loyalty has the roster lead by leaders like CC and a Gardy.
BEWARE of mindless posters like Gee that would have preferred that they be eliminated so that there would be more money to satisfy his own shallow perspective’s ideas.
I’ve had this conversation before and I definitely see points as to why he’s a potential HOFer, but I still struggle with the 3.73 career ERA and the peripherals that go with it.
Baines made it. He never led the league in anything and his numbers were nothing special. CC is a shoo in.
He should retire now.
100% Agree, he’s done. Everytime he pitches is a lost, can’t holded down anymore.
He definitely has been mostly a losting pitcher this year
He should move to the pen for the rest of the year and playoffs. He already said he’s retiring at the end of the season. CC pitching an inning or two can be good. He can give it his all for 25-30 pitches.
You just can’t put anyone in the pen like that, especially someone with his diminished repertoire. Best thing to hope for is Severino comes back somewhat solid and takes his roster spot.
He doesn’t have a “diminished repertoire”. If anything he’s become a better pitcher vs being a thrower. Clearly it’s his health that’s hampering his numbers. I’m just suggesting that if he’s limited to pitching to 3 or 4 batters or a tough lefty or two then his body might be able to handle that over the next month or so. He’s retiring afterwards
He’s been pitching on pure guts this season but that knee just isn’t cooperating.
Hes got plenty of guts.
Don’t bring this guy back he can’t get outta the 5th inning. What do the Yankees do bring back this old man who can’t get outta the third inning. Yankees shoulda walked away from this walking time bomb but NOPE!
Another mistake in 202 the signing of Brett Gardner.
202 Yankee Playoffs SP exposed
Gardner has actually been pretty solid this year. He’s put up respectable offensive numbers and also been a decent replacement in CF while Hicks has been on the IL
It’s everyone’s favorite game, folks: Louie nonsensically hates on Brett Gardner! In this episode, Louie, in supremely bizarre fashion, compares a 39 year old starter with broken knees to an outfielder with a 114 ops+ worth 3.4 bwar! How does he do it? Why does he do it? Who knows? Who cares? It’s all the fun and all the rage, kids! On tomorrow’s episode, Louie will try to justify how plague and natural disasters=Brett Gardner! Don’t miss this hilarious new comedy on mlbtr network!
lol
What is this 202 you ramble about?
Louie is another of Gee whiz’s mindless friends. They behave like selfish children who are never satisfied unless they get everything that they want.
They belong in a group of former Yankee fans who we designated for assignment, so that they don’t tarnish us.
This guy does nothing but hurt this team every time he takes the mound. Go ahead Yankees take the gamble let him take the rubber in October for sentimental reasons, and see what happens.
guys he already announced this is his last year.
He probably will blame the rays and yell at them next time they play Tampa.
I never cheer for a guy to get hurt, but I wont lose any sleep over this jerk. Used to respect him before he started acting like that, now he can go pound sand. And make no mistake, he is NO hall of famer.
Cc had his time, it was a rough way to go out. But he should hang it up now so he can be in the booth for our World Series win in 2 months.
He’s 300 pounds. He needs a third knee installed.
kudos on a great career and time to move on. He never should have been brought back and really relied upon for this year, but that is not on him. I do tip my cap to him for all he has done. Thanks big guy.
He is toast. There is no reason for him to be on the post season roster considering how he has pitched this season. Hang them up please!!