CC Sabathia said Sunday that he believes he should not have been placed on the 15-day disabled list and that he could have started Monday against the Texas Rangers. The New York Yankees placed the pitcher on the DL on Saturday due to stiffness and inflammation in his left (throwing) elbow.
"I didn't want to go on the DL," Sabathia said. "This was not my decision. But I understand it."
Sabathia has been dealing with the issue since Aug. 3 when the Yankees took on the Seattle Mariners. The stiffness subsided after the game until it returned this past Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers. An MRI revealed no structural damage, but New York is opting to play it safe.
"CC would go out there with a broken body part if you let him," manager Joe Girardi said. "That's who he is. That's what you want out of a player, but as Cash and myself, we have to make decisions that we feel are good not just for tomorrow but down the road, next month. It's not easy putting your ace on the DL."
The Yankees have already acquired Derek Lowe to bolster the bullpen so that David Phelps can start in place of Sabathia on Monday.
For more on Lowe and the Yankees, head over to Pinstripe Alley and stay tuned to SB Nation New York.