The Yankees sent the Twins to yet another postseason exit Monday, earning a 5-1 victory to complete a three-game sweep in the American League Division Series. New York will face either Houston or Tampa Bay in the ALCS, and it’s possible the Yankees will welcome back injured left-hander CC Sabathia in time for the matchup.

Sabathia, whom the Yankees left off their ALDS roster because of nagging shoulder woes, told Brendan Kuty of NJ.com and other reporters he’s hoping to return for the next round.

“I feel pretty good. It’s just up to them. So, we’ll wait and see how I bounce back. I’ll throw the bullpen and, like I said, go from there,” said Sabathia, who will throw a bullpen session Wednesday.

While Sabathia’s a potential Hall of Fame starter who spent almost all of 2019 in the Yankees’ rotation, he’d been lining up to finish his year (and his career) as a reliever. Sabathia made it known entering the season that it would be his last, though it’s been an injury-plagued struggle for the franchise icon. He just might have a chance to contribute to a possible World Series run on his way out, however.

One of Sabathia’s teammates and fellow lefties, reliever Zack Britton, suffered his own injury scare Monday. Britton entered the game in the bottom of the seventh to preserve a 3-0 lead, but he departed in the eighth with a right ankle problem after throwing 1 1/3 innings of one-run ball. (that run came by way of an Eddie Rosario solo shot) Fortunately for Britton and the Yankees, it appears they averted disaster. General manager Brian Cashman said afterward that Britton will be fine for the ALCS (via James Wagner of the New York Times).

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