NewsCC's start depends on bullpen session
Yanks waiting to see if lefty OK to make Friday's assignment
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
06/23/09 6:58 PM ET
ATLANTA -- If there is a significant hurdle standing between CC Sabathia and a Subway Series start against the Mets on Friday, the left-handed ace doesn't see it.
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Sabathia expects to throw a light bullpen session on Wednesday at Turner Field to determine if he can continue to be listed as New York's starting pitcher for the Yankees' first visit to Citi Field.
"I'm going to go out there and feel good and be able to pitch," Sabathia said. "I feel like I'm going to feel fine tomorrow. That's why I keep saying I'm going to be pitching on Friday."
Sabathia is battling tendinitis in his left biceps, which he called "a little tired arm" in speaking to reporters on Tuesday. Sabathia said he spent the off-day icing a couple of times at the Yankees' team hotel outside Atlanta, and will continue to receive treatment in advance of the start.
Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that the club has discussed if it was being overly ambitious with Sabathia's early workload, coming off a Major League-high 253 innings last season with the Indians and Brewers.
The consensus, Girardi said, is that Sabathia was capable of being asked to throw as many as 122 (April 16 vs. Indians), 119 (May 2 vs. Angels) and 123 (June 11 at Red Sox) pitches.
"We've talked about that," Girardi said. "Five times, he's had an extra day's rest. Three times, he's been at 119, 120 or 122, and two of those times, he's had an extra day's rest and that's why we stretched him.
"It's a workload that he's accustomed to; if you look at his numbers, he's done it a lot. I think you always worry about his workload, but I don't think we've put too much on him."
Sabathia was lifted after 1 1/3 innings in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Marlins, as catcher Jorge Posada saw that the lefty didn't look quite right in his 28 pitches. He didn't want to come out of the game, but Sabathia said it might have helped him to make Friday's start, in a way.
"If he wouldn't have said anything, I would have pitched through it," Sabathia said. "I think him recognizing it and saying something is definitely going to help me and give me some rest."
Sabathia said he will throw a light bullpen session on Wednesday, likely 20 to 25 pitches -- down from his usual 45. And he said he is getting antsy toward getting back on a mound, especially since the game -- like Sunday's start in Miami -- will be played under National League rules.
"I am -- I want to hit," Sabathia said. "I was one hitter away from getting an [at-bat]."
Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
