New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia is not likely to take the mound for at least the next six weeks according to Yankees general manager Brian Cashman who told ESPN’s Buster Olney that a return before July 1 is an unrealistic time frame to recover from his knee injury.
“It’s an unpredictable time frame,” Cashman said. “I’d say you’re talking at least six weeks until you see him on a major league mound again. If we predict anything before six weeks, then we’re probably setting ourselves up for disappointment,” Cashman said.
Sabathia, 33, is dealing with pain and swelling in his right knee as a result of the cartilage in his knee breaking down. after visiting with Dr. James Andrews to get a stem-cell injection. The former Cy Young winner has to keep weight off his knee and will gradually begin strengthening exercises on the knee in a pool to lessen the stress on the joint.
Despite the absence of Sabathia into the summer, don’t expect the Yankees to acquire a starter until the amateur draft is completed at the beginning of next month.
The Yankees (23-20) lead the division by a half-game over the Orioles, with the Blue Jays one game back in third place, and the defending World Series champion Red Sox in fourth place, three games behind the Bronx Bombers.