No New Knee Damage For New York's CC Sabathia But Status For Sunday Against Boston Is Unclear
The good news for New York is there is no new knee damage for veteran CC Sabathia.
A scan showed no new damage to CC Sabathia's arthritic right knee, but the status of the New York Yankees left-hander for Sunday night's start against Boston remains unclear. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20296180/mri-shows-no-new-knee-damage-new-york-yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia
Forced from Tuesday's loss to Toronto after three innings, Sabathia returned to New York for an MRI on Wednesday. Manager Joe Girardi says the team was happy with the results, but he will wait until returning home Friday before making a decision on Sabathia's next turn. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20296180/mri-shows-no-new-knee-damage-new-york-yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia
"When you have a guy that has a banged-up knee, you worry that there's more damage," Girardi said. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20296180/mri-shows-no-new-knee-damage-new-york-yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia
Sabathia has worn his current knee brace since the second half of 2015. Eligible for free agency at the conclusion of the World Series, the 17-year veteran is 9-5 with a 4.05 ERA in 19 starts. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20296180/mri-shows-no-new-knee-damage-new-york-yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia
"The key for him has been bringing stability back to the knee, and the brace has been a big part of that," Girardi said. "But when you're landing and you have pain every pitch, you're going to have a hard time. That's what we saw last night, so we've got to knock that out." "according to tohttp://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20296180/mri-shows-no-new-knee-damage-new-york-yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia
Girardi said rookie left-hander Jordan Montgomery is "probably the leading choice" to return from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre if Sabathia is unavailable to face the Red Sox. Montgomery is 7-6 with a 4.05 ERA in 21 starts. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20296180/mri-shows-no-new-knee-damage-new-york-yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia
Montgomery was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday in an attempt to limit his innings, which New York wants to keep to about 180. Montgomery, who has pitched 115⅔ innings so far, set a career high with 139⅓ innings at Double-A Trenton and Scranton last year. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20296180/mri-shows-no-new-knee-damage-new-york-yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia
Girardi said outfielder Aaron Hicks (strained right oblique) is expected to come off the disabled list Friday. Hicks, who is batting .290 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs, has been out since June 25. He hit a two-run homer at Double-A Trenton on Tuesday, his first homer in seven rehab games. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20296180/mri-shows-no-new-knee-damage-new-york-yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia
Girardi also confirmed that first baseman Greg Bird (bruised right ankle) and second baseman Starlin Castro (strained right hamstring) should be ready to begin rehab assignments next week, with Bird's schedule slightly ahead of Castro's. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20296180/mri-shows-no-new-knee-damage-new-york-yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia
OutfielderClint Frazier was scratched from Wednesday's lineup because of tightness in his oblique. Aaron Judge moved from designated hitter to right field, Chase Headly went from first base to DH, and Garrett Cooper entered the lineup at first base. "according to http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20296180/mri-shows-no-new-knee-damage-new-york-yankees-pitcher-cc-sabathia
The questions yet to be answered are Will CC Sabathia make his next start? If he doesn't who will be the starter for New York in the opener against Boston? Will it be left -hander Jordan Montgomery who was optioned to Triple -A Scranton Wilkes -Barre Sunday August 6th?