CC and the Yankees in 2015

One of the big stories behind the failures of the 2014 New York Yankees season was the sad state of affairs of their starting rotation. Heading into the 2014 season, the biggest (literally and figuratively) question mark surrounded the health of C.C. Sabathia. Unfortunately, the fears that many Yankees fans had, ultimately came true. 

More from Yankees News

• Yankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendar
• Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
• Michael Kay’s Anthony Volpe story will get Yankees fans amped for Opening Day
• No, Yankees should not acquire Trevor Bauer for 2023
• Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step

During spring training there was a lot of talk about C.C.’s weight, his down 2013 season and his declining velocity. All of those factors, and a bum knee, played a part in Sabathia’s 2014 season ending before the calendar struck June. Sabathia’s knee shut him down and his second forgettable season was in the books.

C.C. is on the books for 23 million for the next few seasons, so his health is very important this season. He has been rehabbing his knee back from a knee surgery intended to clean up ligaments and cartilage. He was expected to begin throwing off a mound in late November, however that was postponed. Still, he has been slowly working his way back throwing off flat ground for now.

Fellow Yankees bloggers River Ave Blues recounted a recent interview with C.C. discussing the knee and how his recovery his coming along.

“The knee, I have no complaints. I’m able to do all of my workouts … I’m changing a few things. Not as much pounding and running. I’m in the pool a lot, on different machines to get cardio, (on the) bike. Just adding a few different things to get some cardio in,” said Sabathia. “I feel like I can (throw 200 innings). If you asked me that a couple of months ago, I would have said, ‘I don’t know,’ but the way I’m feeling now and being able to work out, definitely.”

We aren’t even in 2015 yet, so Sabathia has plenty of time to recover. We as Yankees fans have to hope his knee is feeling as good as he makes in sound. Sabathia was once a perennial Cy Young candidate. The Yankees may never see that from him again, but the one-time ace has to return to top of the rotation form or the Yankees are in for a long season.