The Yankees have yet to formally announce their full roster for their upcoming Division Series matchup with the Twins, but manager Aaron Boone announced today that veteran left-hander CC Sabathia will not be a part of the mix (Twitter links via Meredith Marakovits and Jack Curry of the YES Network).
Sabathia has been dealing with a shoulder issue and underwent a cortisone injection, but he hasn’t bounced back to the point where the team considers him an option to this pont. He could potentially factor into the ALCS roster if the Yankees advance beyond the ALDS. With Sabathia off the roster, the Yankees will go to a rotation featuring James Paxton in Game 1, Masahiro Tanaka in Game 2 and Luis Severino in Game 3. They’ll rely on that trio and an exceptionally deep bullpen, which Boone says he’ll be “aggressive” in deploying.
A full roster won’t be released until the Yankees need to formally release it (tomorrow morning), though Boone also indicated that Edwin Encarnacion is “expected” to be on the roster. The slugger hasn’t appeared in a game since Sept. 12 thanks to an oblique injury, but he’s apparently made sufficient progress that he’ll be an option in the best-of-five series that’ll kick off at Yankee Stadium tomorrow evening.
Depending on how the postseason plays out, then, it’s possible that Sabathia’s scoreless outing of relief against the Rays on Sept. 24 — the lone relief appearance of his illustrious 19-year career — could mark the final time he ever sets foot on a Major League mound. Even if the Yankees do advance to the ALCS, there’s no guarantee that Sabathia would be a part of the team’s pitching staff for that best-of-seven series. And, obviously, if the Yankees’ season comes to an end within the next week, Sabathia will head into retirement and take his first official steps toward Cooperstown a bit sooner than he or the organization had hoped.
Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish
Get out of here with your baseless and trash comment.
I know you can’t be talking to me sir
It’s pretty obvious I am though.
I’ll miss all the bunts
LOL
Smartest thing I’ve heard the Yankees do all year.
Sentiment won’t work here. CC has been great for the Yankees, and great for baseball, and he probably has more to contribute in some role in the future. But if he isn’t healthy enough to pitch, this is the right move. Doesn’t lessen his history at all.
That’s unfortunate to hear. CC can still strike guys out and I think in a game where starters are on a short leash he would’ve been good for 2 or 3 innings not as a starter but coming out the pen to face a couple of batters or some of their lefties. If he knows he’s only expected to pitch 2 innings or so then I think he’d be useful. He still averages 9k/9 IP and still shuts down lefties as evident this year by his .198/.270/.451 vs left handed hitters. That .721 OPS vs lefty hitters is better than the other left handed options we have aside from Tarpley, Britton and Chapman. Cortez JR (.994 OPS) is horrible and I would trust Sabathia in the post-season coming out the pen than I would Tarpley.
Small sample size, but the .451 slugging pct by LHB vs. CC does not do any favors for his future roster chances with three other lefties to go to.
Highly suspicious.
CC is a shell of his former self. Excellent move leaving him off the roster. Not a fan of Encarnacion being on the roster because he hasn’t played in 3 weeks, but Voit isn’t much of an upgrade. Hoping for Ford to make the roster and get a start or two.
It’s a shame CC’s career has to end like that. I fully expect the Rays to upset the Yankees in this series.
Yanks are playing Mini Soda
That would be extremely surprising, but maybe the Ray’s could dress in Twins unis and shock us all.
lofl..Bro the Rays don’t play the Yankees
“lofl..Bro the Rays don’t play the Yankees.”
Shows how much I care about the Yankees being in the playoffs. I’m fine with the Twins bouncing them, they certainly owe the Yanks some payback from past playoff series.
Meanwhile you should take up a hobby, because your comedy suuuuucks.
CC will have a long walk to Cooperstown, but I think he’ll eventually get there, bad knee and all.
These trash comments.
Takes one to know one
Wouldn’t be surprised if the ya ks leave cc off all rosters till the world series. Let him get as healthy as he can then send him off with his last appearance and get his past hoorah . Doubt he will start a game but make a inning or two in relief just so the fans in the Bronx can send him off to Cooperstown
Yeah the only problem with that is the Astros are likely to take their lunch money in the ALCS if the Yankees get there.
Not this year.
Check Vegas Nostradamus
Beats walking there. All the fans will have to chip in. The shipping will be astronomical.
I agree I think the Astros do beat the Yankees so maybe the Yankees bring in cc during that series. Just don’t think they will let sabathia end his career in front of the TV. Unless he is up there with analysts on fox
The only question is whether the Yankees get knocked out in the first round ?!
OR the 2nd round?!
Oh no, is he drunk again?
Only the cooler weather will keep the balls in the park with these two behemoths matching up!
CC was a good player in his day but another player overrated by playing in NY and therefore being on ESPN nightly.
I was against bringing back CC there were better options out there. Oh well to late now we’ll see how it plays out now.
I was against Gardner too but he had a very good season but I still don’t trust him in the PS. 2-15