CC Sabathia to start the year on injured list

A day after Luis Severino was shut down due to shoulder inflammation, Aaron Boone announced that CC Sabathia will most likely join Sevy on the injured list to start the season.

https://twitter.com/M_Marakovits/status/1103412467240189954

The big lefty, who is entering his 19th and final season, is still building up strength after offseason knee surgery and angioplasty. When CC does come off the list formerly known as disabled, he will be serving a five-game suspension for plunking then Rays' catcher Jesus Sucre back in September.

"Everything is going pretty well," Boone said. "He had his second pen that went well. I certainly don't expect him for the start of the season. It may be a couple of weeks in, if everything keeps going according to plan."

With their pitching depth already being tested, the Yankees will need some placeholder arms for the first few games of the season. One option that is reportedly being considered is an outside veteran. Free agent lefty Gio Gonzalez has been "discussed" by some of the Yankees brass.

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1102998933134065664

Gonzalez, 33, split time between the Nationals and Brewers last season going 10-11 with a 4.21 ERA. With both Sevy and CC not expected to miss more than a few starts, Gonzalez may not be a fit unless he is willing to move to the pen. Nonetheless, he is a cheaper option than say Dallas Keuchel.