CC Sabathia‘s next scheduled start will be pushed back to Monday instead of Sunday due to the team going on the road against the San Diego Padres. The Yankees want to rest Sabathia and avoid him running on his bad ankle.
Chad Green will start on Sunday in place of Sabathia.
The move also allows Masahiro Tanaka to receive five days rest instead of four. He has proven to pitch better with more rest, and the move allows Sabathia to see extra rest as well.
Girardi said Sabathia will be moved back to Monday to prevent him running the bases on his bad ankle. Chad Green will start Sunday at SD
— wallace matthews (@ESPNNYYankees) June 30, 2016
Playing in the National League for an American League team presents a tough challenge with pitchers.
However, in Sabathia’s career, it as been on the bases where issues occur, not in the batters box.
CC is a lifetime .219 hitter with three home runs, not Madison Bumgardner numbers, but above average for an American League pitcher. Yankees manager Joe Girardi does not want to take any chances with one of the Yankees most consistent pitchers this year, especially if it can be avoided.
“If we can avoid CC having to run the bases and hit — if you remember, that’s how he got hurt in Milwaukee — we choose to do that,” said Girardi.
It comes as no surprise the Yankees want to keep Sabathia fresh considering the season he has put together in the first half.
Sabathia has been rejuvenated this year at 35-years-old. The lefty has thrown 76 innings on the season in 13 starts. He has compiled a 5-5 record with an ERA standing at 3.17, his lowest mark since the 2011 season when his ERA was 3.00.
The big lefty has limited damage via free passes, walking 30 hitters while striking out 61.
Sabathia has not been tagged on home run balls this season as well, only giving up four big flies. His lowest total in a full season is 19, which he has allowed three times.
In a bounce-back season for Sabathia, he has proven he has been able to make the adjustments to see success in his 16th Big League season.
While Sabathia is able to rest an extra day, it gives Green a chance to prove his minor league season is no fluke.
Green has worked to a 1.54 ERA in 16 starts and a 6-6 record with Scranton Wilkes-Barre. He currently holds the lowest ERA in the International League and ranks second with a 0.98 WHIP. With more than 81 innings under his belt, he could prove to be a viable option if the Yankees need a spot starter. Especially on days where a rotation pitcher needs rest, such as Sabathia on Sunday.
“His secondary stuff has continued to improve,” Girardi said. “That’s important because you have to be able to throw your breaking ball and your changeup behind in the count to get back in the count. You can’t just rely on one pitch. But is has improved. And I’m curious to see it on Sunday.”
Green started a game earlier this year for the Yankees against the Arizona Diamondback in Arizona. He allowed four earned runs in four innings and was tagged with the loss on May 16.
CC’s next start will be Monday on the road in Chicago as the Yankees take on the White Sox.
