09-07-2019, 02:45 AM
NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees are no longer expecting CC Sabathia to return to their rotation this year, given the persistence of inflammation in his injured right knee. Asked Friday whether he believed Sabathias season was over, manager Joe Girardi said: "I think thats about fair to say." The six-time All-Star left-hander has been out with a degenerative cartilage problem in his right knee since mid-May, when his ERA reached a career-high 5.28. The Yankees were targeting a post-All-Star-break return for Sabathia, who had begun a rehabilitation assignment. In his second start, Wednesday for Double-A Trenton, Sabathia was hit hard: five hits, five runs and one walk while striking out two in 3 2-3 innings. The next morning, the 33-year-old woke up with swelling in the joint. An MRI test on Thursday didnt reveal any new damage. Sabathia will be examined on July 14 by Dr. James Andrews before the next step is determined, Girardi said, but microfracture surgery is possible. Previously, Sabathia had an operation on the knee in October 2010 to repair a small meniscus cartilage tear. The microfracture procedure requires far more recovery time, though. "Thats a surgery a lot of players dont want to hear when they need to have it," Girardi said. The manager even acknowledged the possibility that Sabathia might have thrown his last pitch for the Yankees, as dire of a scenario that sounds like. "I think its too early to predict that, but whenever you have degenerative issues that cause surgery or things like that, theres always a little question there," Girardi said. Despite his 6-foot-7, 285-pound frame, Sabathia has been remarkably durable, logging at least 28 starts and 180 innings every season of his career. He reached 230 innings or more in five different years, including in 2007 when he won the American League Cy Young Award for Cleveland. Sabathia is in his sixth season with the Yankees. He gave up 10 home runs in 46 innings over his eight starts before landing on the disabled list on May 11. After signing a seven-year, $161 million deal as a free agent prior to the 2009 season, Sabathia had his contract extended in 2011 by one year and $30 million. Making $23 million this season, Sabathia is scheduled to earn $23 million in 2015 and $25 million in 2016. The Yankees have a $25 million option on his deal for 2017 with a $5 million buyout. The Yankees have also been missing injured starters Ivan Nova and Michael Pineda, forcing them to go with a makeshift rotation including Vidal Nuno, David Phelps and rookie Chase Whitley. Nova had season-ending elbow surgery in April. Pineda has been out with a shoulder muscle problem and is not expected back until August. Jozy Altidore USA Jersey . -- Manchester United thrilled a record crowd with a brilliant opening goal -- and even Cristiano Ronaldos unexpected entrance proved futile for Real Madrid. Eric Lichaj Jersey .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/kellyn...sa-jersey/. - The New England Patriots needed help on defence so they added three experienced players at midseason. Michael Bradley Jersey . Brassard and Coyotes defenceman Derek Morris were battling for position in the crease when a nudge from Morris sent Brassard on top of Smith late in the third period. Alejandro Bedoya USA Jersey . They wanna make t-shirts about it and sell them at our next hockey game..DB: Wow, they want to make t-shirts? That sounds pretty amazing.MS: Yeah, I was also on the Top 10, I was number 1 today, so that was pretty cool.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Washington Wizards were able to avoid losing three straight games the last time out and will resume a four-game western road trip Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. The Wizards dropped their second straight game with a loss at Portland on Saturday in the opener of the swing, then bounced back the next day with a 117-115 overtime triumph against Denver. Kris Humphries stepped up his game to the tune of 21 points and 14 rebounds, and scored four early points in the extra session. Paul Pierce scored 19 points and John Wall supplied 19 points to go along with 16 assists for 24 double-doubles. We made plays when it counted, Humphries said. Nene and Bradley Beal scored 14 points apiece for the Wizards, who made 53.3 percent for the game and improved to 12-9 away from DC. The Wizards will wrap up the trek Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns. Washington will play four games in five days and is 24-1 when holding opponents under 100 points this season. The Wizards are 8-0 on the road when giving up less than 100 points. Wall is averaging 18.3 points in his last four games and Pierce is posting 15.5 ppg in that span. Pierce is 30 points shy of tying Alex English (25,613) for 15th on the NBAs all-time scoring list. The Lakers are mired in an eight-game losing streak and opened a three-game homestand with Sundays 99-87 loss to the Houston Rockets. Carlos Boozer scored 18 points and Jeremy Lin added 14 for the Lakers, who were held under 90 points for the fifth time in the last seven games. Wayne Ellington had 13 points and Jordan Hill added 10 and seven rebounds in the loss. Los Angeles was in a hole at 30-15 following the first 12 minutes and played tough over the next three quarters, but the first stanza was too much to overcome.ddddddddddddThe Lakers shot 43 percent and committed 21 turnovers for 21 Houston points. The Lakers will be without the services of guard Kobe Bryant for the remainder of the season, as he will undergo surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder. A timetable for Bryants recovery wont be known until after Wednesday mornings procedure. Bryant suffered the injury in last Wednesdays 96-80 loss at New Orleans. Bryant could be facing a third consecutive season-ending injury. He suffered a torn Achilles tendon in April 2013 and a broken bone in his knee last season. The 36-year-old Bryant averaged 22.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 35 games this season. With Bryants absence, the Lakers will look to see more production out of reserve Nick Young, but that wasnt the case on Sunday. I felt with his body language that I didnt want to play him, Lakers coach Byron Scott said of Young, who went 0-for-2 from the field in just under 8 1/2 minutes off the bench. LA is 6-6 against the East (4-2 at home) and will close the homestand Thursday versus the Chicago Bulls. It is 6-16 as the host in 2014-15. The Wizards topped the Lakers, 111-95, on Dec. 3 at the Verizon Center and were led by Beals 27 points. Marcin Gortat added 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Bryant was healthy at the time and finished with 29 points. Washington defeated Los Angeles twice last season and has won four straight and five of the last six matchups between the teams. Los Angeles has lost two straight at home in this series. ' ' '