Yankees: CC Sabathia set to start on Friday in return from the DL

The Yankees held their breath back on August 13th when CC Sabathia was placed on the DL with inflammation in the same right knee that has given him issues for years. Fortunately, it looks like CC will only miss one turn in the rotation and return from the DL Friday to start in Baltimore against the Orioles.

This is big news for the Yankees, especially after they placed Didi Gregorius on the DL Tuesday with a bruised left heel. With Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge already out this team really can’t afford any more injuries so getting their veteran left-hander back in the rotation should provide a much-needed boost.

This was the second DL stint of the season for CC and like his first stint back in early April (hip strain) he only missed one start before his return. Last season he was placed on the DL around the same time with soreness in the same knee on August 11th and he was back on the mound starting August 19th.

At the time it seemed like the DL stint was used as a cover to give CC some rest to keep him fresh down the stretch as the Yankees made their playoff push. The rest did wonders for CC as he finished the season on a 5-0 stretch in eight starts with a 2.91 ERA. CC continued his success during the team’s memorable postseason run where he went 1-1 with a 2.37 ERA in four playoff starts.

The hope is that he could have a similar finish to this season because the Yankees really need him right now. J.A. Happ has been great since joining the team and Masahiro Tanaka and Lance Lynn have both been solid of late. However, staff ace Luis Severino continues to struggle in the second half and CC’s replacement Luis Cessa was not good at all in his start last Wednesday.

More from Yanks Go Yard

• Should Yankees toss short-term extension at Harrison Bader before 2023?
• Yankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendar
• Yankees State of the Farm System Review: Josh Breaux
• Yankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielder
• MLB insider claims favorite emerging in Bryan Reynolds rumors (not Yankees)

They need more consistency and quality starts from their starters every fifth day and a healthy CC gives them just that. He doesn’t pitch deep into games like he used to but while he’s in there he always keeps the Yankees in the game.

Before his trip to DL CC had pitched very well going 1-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four starts. He was holding opponents to an outstanding .192 AVG and he struck out 29 in only 19.1 IP.

With Sevy continuing to struggle its important that everyone else in the rotation pitches well so that come October the Yankees have more reliable options to choose from. Right now I’m not sure Severino would be the guy to roll with for the Wild Card Game so from here on out it’s a wide-open race to earn that start.

CC might not give the Yankees as much depth as he used to but if he finishes this season on a high note he deserves a playoff start. I for one wouldn’t mind seeing him on the mound in that Wild Card game because you know he’s going to keep his team in the game. We saw last season how much the bullpen can play a role in the one-game playoff and with CC all the Yankees need is anywhere from four to six innings before they can hand the ball off to their elite bullpen.

Ideally, you hope Severino can snap out of this funk and reassert himself as the Yankees ace, but if he doesn’t don’t be surprised if CC is on the mound October 3rd. He might not be the first choice, but if he shows he’s healthy and has another great September he’d be a strong option for Aaron Boone to consider.