CC Sabathia got his $500,000 performance bonus from the Yankees despite not reaching the goal of pitching 155 innings last season, The Associated Press reported.
The Yankees pitcher, 38, was close to achieving the mark, but was ejected from his last regular-season start Sept. 27 against the Rays.
He was just two innings short before he plunked Jesus Sucre in retaliation for Andrew Kittredge throwing a pitch behind Austin Romine earlier in the game.
The move wasn't announced by the Yankees nor Sabathia, but a review of the Yankees’ final luxury tax payroll revealed the payout.
“It was something that we did very private and weren’t looking to publicize, and I’ll just leave it at that,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.
Sabathia, 38, earned $10 million in base salary last season and re-signed with the Yankees on a one-year, $8 million deal for 2019. Sabathia said this upcoming season will be his last.
“We thought it was a very nice gesture by the Yankees,” Sabathia’s agent, Kyle Thousand said. “CC was very appreciative and is really excited to come back next year and, hopefully, win a championship.”