Yankees ace CC Sabathia suffered a Grade 1 strain of the adductor muscle near his left leg, landing him a spot on the disabled list, the team announced on today.
Sabathia will miss his next two starts and return after the All-Star break.
“He doesn’t want to go on (the DL), but he understands it’s the best thing to do,” manager Joe Girardi said. “Missing two starts is better than seven or eight.”
Sabathia originally felt pain in the leg during the fourth inning of his start Sunday night against the Mets. Sabathia did not tell anyone with the Yankees about the injury until it lingered during a bullpen session on Tuesday.
He didn’t get a decision in that start, going 5 2/3 innings in an eventual 6-5 Yankees win.
The team said that Freddy Garcia will take Sabathia’s spot in the rotation.
Garcia has been pitching as a long man since being bounced from the rotation after four early season starts. Minor league Adam Warren is expected to be called up for the first time, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.
Sabathia is 9-3 this season with a 3.45 ERA. Cashman said that when Sabathia does return after the break, he will likely start in the back of the rotation to give him a few extra days of rest.
