The injury saga for the Yankees is never-ending.
The latest New York stalwart to fall victim is starting pitcher CC Sabathia, who landed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with pain in his right knee.
Prior to today's game, the Yankees placed LHP CC Sabathia on the 10-day IL with right knee inflammation.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 23, 2019
"He always deals with something with the knee," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said (via Yankees.com). "He’s got some inflammation in there, so it's something we’ll have to talk about."
Sabathia, 38, battled through the pain Wednesday in a 7-5 win over the Orioles. In five innings he gave up four earned runs on six hits with seven strikeouts. The win moved his 2019 record to 3-1.
"It was hurting pretty bad tonight, but I was able to get through it and kind of keep the team in the game," Sabathia said. "These guys have been playing some great defense and scoring some runs. It was good to get a win."
As mentioned by Yankees.com, Sabathia has been dealing with a degenerative knee condition that he expects will require replacement surgery once he retires at the end of this season. His most recent procedure on the troublesome right knee took place last October.
This will be Sabathia's fifth trip to the IL with right knee inflammation since the start of the 2014 season.
Sabathia indicated Wednesday he may only miss his next start, so expect Boone to turn to Chance Adams or David Hale for a spot start, or go the “opener” route with someone one like Chad Green or Jonathan Holder.
In other, more promising pitching news for the Yankees, starter James Paxton is expected to return from the IL early next week after pitching a simulated game Friday.
Despite the constant barrage of injuries, the Yankees have managed to put together a 31-17 start to the season and hold a two-game lead over the Rays in the AL East.