Yankees place Sabathia on DL with elbow stiffness

New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with stiffness in his left elbow.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi made the announcement after their 5-2 victory over the host Toronto Blue Jays. Sabathia was seen earlier with ice on his throwing elbow.

Sabathia felt soreness in the elbow after his complete-game victory over the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 3. After an MRI came back negative, Sabathia made his next start on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers. He went 6 1/3 innings, allowing five runs -- three earned -- with seven strikeouts.

Girardi told reporters that Sabathia would see a doctor on Monday.

"It's a tough decision," he said. "Do you let him pitch and try to fight through it, or is it enough of a concern that we have him maybe miss just two starts and we'll get him back?"

Sabathia was not available for comment but he is expected to speak with the media on Sunday.

The Yankees have not yet decided who will take Sabathia's spot on the 25-man roster.

It is Sabathia's second stint on the DL this season. He missed nearly a month in parts of June and July with a left groin strain. He went 3-0 with a 3.89 ERA and struck out 35 in 34 2/3 innings in his last five starts. The 32-year-old is 12-3 with a 3.56 ERA this season.