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CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 12: Starter CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field on August 12, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

CC Sabathia set to rejoin Yankees rotation Wednesday

When CC Sabathia landed on the disabled list on August 24 due to inflammation in his knee, it was unsure whether or not the 35-year-old would be able to take the mound again this season. On Friday afternoon, the New York Yankees received encouraging news, as it appears that Sabathia will rejoin the rotation on Wednesday night.

With Sabathia throwing a successful 60-pitch, four inning simulated game on Friday, manager Joe Girardi feels that the left-hander is ready to rejoin the rotation. As talked about before Sabathia’s injury, the team will go with a six-man rotation, something they have done at times throughout the season to help provide an extra day of rest for their starting pitchers.

After pitching his simulated game, Sabathia told reporters that he feels great, but the team will still monitor how he feels in the upcoming days to make sure they aren’t rushing him back too quickly. If Sabathia feels healthy over the next few days, he will make his first start off the disabled on Wednesday night.

Sabathia missed most of the 2014 campaign because of knee surgery, and many people felt that the injury could have possibly ended his career. His knee remains to be a question mark for this Yankees team, as they hope he is able to stay healthy for the time being.

With the team about to start a 13-game stretch in which every game is against an American League East Division foe, adding a healthy Sabathia could benefit the Yankees’ rotation. As the end of the season approaches, it will be vital for the pitching to stay fresh, as the team looks to win the American League East Division.

The move to go to a six-man rotation benefits Mashairo Tanaka and other Yankee starters, as it will allow them to have an extra days rest in between starts for the remainder of the regular season. For the remainder of the season, the team only has one scheduled off-day, so the extra rest could go a long way in helping the starting rotation stay sharp.

So far in 2015, Sabathia has struggled, posting a 4-9 record with a 5.27 ERA. With Sabathia scheduled to make $25 million during the 2016 season and additional $25 million for 2017 if he doesn’t hurt his shoulder, the team hopes that the left-hander still has something left in the tank to help them make a strong postseason run.