The New York Yankees have dealt with injury after injury to star after star in 2013, but the latest malady to befall the Bronx Bombers could be the death knell of their slim postseason hopes.
Ace CC Sabathia, whose been far from an ace this year, is done for the year with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, according to reports.
After Sabathia's most recent start last Friday, one of his best of the season he responded with optimism when asked about whether he believed the Yankees could play in October. "Why couldn't we? Anything can happen,'' he said. "You saw what happened tonight. I've got a start in five days and I'll be ready for that one.''
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said he sustained the injury during that start and informed the team he was hurt on Saturday. An MRI showed the damage, and the typical recovery time for his injury is six to eight weeks. When asked why the team waited to make the injury public Cashman said it was to avoid distractions for as long as possible.
"No one wanted to throw any negativity out there while we were fighting for a playoff spot,'' said Cashman. "But now we have to line up our pitching rotation for this week, so we have no choice.''
The injury concludes a disappointing season for the big lefty, who lost velocity on his famous fastball and was ripped for a career high 28 home runs in 2013. "He's had an interesting year, to say the least,'' Cashman said. "The home runs really killed him. But we think he's retained a number of abilities that should allow him to pitch at or near the top of our rotation next year."
CC was supposed to toe the rubber Wednesday for the Yankees against the Tampa Bay Rays, a crucial opponent as the season closes and the wild card chase nears its end. Now, he will likely be replaced by the even more homer-happy Phil Hughes.
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