The New York Yankees announced last week that CC Sabathia has a degenerative knee condition in the cartilage in his right knee. Sabathia has been placed on the disabled list, and there has been a difference of opinions regarding when he will return. According to Yankees GM Brian Cashman, that won’t be any time before July.
“It will be no sooner than six weeks from today,” Cashman told the New York Post on Monday.
Sabathia received a stem cell injection in his knee last week, and Dr. James Andrews told the Yankees the process would take a minimum of six weeks if it works. That leaves New York without its ace and looking even thinner at starting pitcher, especially with Ivan Nova out for the year with an elbow injury.
“Our dialogue with Andrews has been good and the small sample of stem cell procedures, the results are very successful,” Cashman added. “But he has to be pain free before strengthening, so there is a way to go. Because he is a starter it will take longer. I have no idea how long it will be and if it will be successful. We are hoping it is six weeks to a major league return.”
Sabathia is 33 years old and has thrown a ton of innings throughout his career. Given the nature of the injury, it’s not unreasonable to wonder if he will ever be the same pitcher again. Whether he’s back before the All-Star break or not, we fully expect the Yankees to start putting their feelers out for starting pitching help.
