Sabathia should be ready for spring training afrter elbow clean-up
When news broke that New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia was going to have his left elbow examined by noted orthopedist James Andrews, concern gripped a Yankees fan base that was already reeling from the team's sweep at the hands of the Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series.
Andrews wound up operating on Sabathia's pitching elbow Thursday, but the report was as positive as the team could have hoped.
A bone spur was removed from the joint, but no ligament damage was found. Sabathia should be fully recovered for the start of spring training.
"It was a quick and minor cleanup," Yankees manager Brian Cashman said, according to ESPNNewYork.com. "We'll take him along slowly through spring training, and he'll be ready for Opening Day."
Sabathia, 32, recently said the bone spur dated to his tenure with the Cleveland Indians (2001-08). He had two stints on the disabled list this year, at midseason due to a groin injury, then in August due to left elbow discomfort.
Despite missing time, Sabathia still threw 200 innings for the sixth consecutive year. He finished 15-6 with a 3.38 ERA.
In the postseason, Sabathia was dominant in the AL Division Series against the Baltimore Orioles, winning both of his starts and posting a 1.53 ERA. However, he was hit hard in his lone start during the ALCS, giving up six runs (five earned) on 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings during a Game 4 defeat.
