Will CC Sabathia’s Off-Season Elbow Injury Effect the Yankees Rotation Next Year?

The Star-Ledger-US PRESSWIRE

The New York Yankees CC Sabathia underwent surgery to remove a bone spur in his left elbow on Thursday but is expected to return before the start of next season’s spring training, according to team sources.

The surgery, which was performed by Dr. James Andrews, went according to plan and Sabathia was released from the hospital later that same day.

“They found a bone spur,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said via ESPN.com.  “It was a quick and minor cleanup.  We’ll take himalong slowly through spring training and he’ll be ready for Opening Day.”

The injury was first noticed in an X-ray with the Cleveland Indians during his 2001-2008 stint.  Since then, he’s pitched through some major discomfort and even went on the 15-day disabled list this past August to help deal with the nagging injury, as per Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com reported.

News surfaced about the potentiality of Sabathia receiving Tommy John Surgery, which could leave him out of the Yankees rotation for a full year.  However, multiple MRIs showed that was not the case.

After the successful surgery, the Yankees don’t expect much complications to come about after having this surgery, which comes as good news for New York fans.  Sabathia was a major contributor to a struggling Yankee pitching staff.  He went 15-6 with a team-best 3.38 ERA  and a 1.13 WHIP this year.  Two of his best performances came during the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles, where he pitched 17 2/3 innings and only allowed three runs.

Sabathia is also one of the highest paid players on the Yankees squad.  He is currently owed more than $94 million over the next four seasons, which ranks second-most behind third baseman Alex Rodriguez.  Luckily, the Yankees won’t have to worry about wasting any more money (i.e. Rodriguez), because the 32-year-old southpaw will likely start on the bump to begin the season.