Berkman, Wood, Johnson Turned Loose By Yankees

The New York Yankees will not pick up the options on DH Lance Berkman, pitcher Kerry Wood and designated hitter Nick Johnson, the club has announced. This means all three will become free agents.

Wood, who will be 34 next season, would seem to be the only one of the three that the Yankees might have interest in bringing back. The right-handed reliever went 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in 24 regular-season games for the Yankees after a midseason trade from the Cleveland Indians. Wood became the primary setup man for closer Mariano Rivera, a bridge that always seems to be in flux for New York.

Wood, however, is likely looking to translate his success in New York into a bigger money deal and an opportunity to be a closer again. He closed for the Cubs in 2008, and the Indians in 2009 and 2010 before coming to the Yankees.

Berkman hit .255 in 37 games as a Yankee after coming over in a trade with Houston. The Yankees likely don't have a place for him as a designated hitter. With some of their aging players they will likely want to keep the DH spot open. With Mark Teixeira at first base, there is no place for Berkman to play.

The oft-injured Johnson hit just .167 in 24 games before being lost for the season with a wrist injury.

Yankees' CC Sabathia To Have Knee Surgery Friday

New York Yankees' ace left-hander CC Sabathia will have surgery Friday to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee.

Sabathia was diagnosed at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and the procedure will be performed by team physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad. Sabathia will begin therapy immediately after the surgery and is scheduled to begin his regular routine in preparation for Spring Training after three to six weeks.

After pitching brilliantly in the 2009 postseason (eight earned runs in 36 1/3 innings) to help the Yankees claim their 27th World Series title, Sabathia was uncharacteristically ineffective in the playoffs this season, allowing 10 earned runs and 22 hits in 16 innings.

It was not immediately clear how long the knee injury might have been ailing Sabathia. Historically a terrific second-half performer, Sabathia also had some blips on the radar late in the year.

He was hammered by the Orioles for five earned runs on Sept. 7, and after locking up in a magnificent duel with the Rays' David Price on Sept. 13 -- firing eight innings of scoreless two-hit ball -- Sabathia was spanked by the Rays for seven runs in 5 1/3 innings on Sept. 23 at Yankee Stadium, before besting the Blue Jays five days later for his 21st win.

Sabathia, who turns 31 in July, signed a seven-year, $161 million deal with the Yankees following the 2008 season. He has been a workhorse in each of his two seasons in the Bronx, starting 34 games and logging more than 230 innings in each year while logging 40 total victories.

Though the surgery is described as minor, the Yankees have to have some trepidation. The right leg is the plant leg for the 300-pound Sabathia, and landing repeatedly on a surgically repaired knee might become problematic.