The New York Yankees will begin their playoff run without the services of CC Sabathia.
The left-handed pitcher made a surprise announcement Monday that he will check himself into an alcohol rehabilitation center and won’t be available to pitch for the Yankees during the postseason.
“I love baseball and I love my teammates like brothers, and I am also fully aware that I am leaving at a time when we should all be coming together for one last push toward the World Series,” Sabathia said in a statement. “It hurts me deeply to do this now, but I owe it to myself and to my family to get myself right. I want to take control of my disease, and I want to be a better man, father and player.”
Sabathia had a difficult 2015 campaign, finishing the season with a 6-10 record and a 4.73 ERA. He threw a total of 167 1/3 innings in 29 starts and failed to make it past the seventh inning in any outing over the final three months of the season.
Still, Sabathia’s announcement comes as a shock to those expecting the 35-year-old veteran to at least play some role in New York’s postseason push. In his statement, Sabathia said the Yankees were completely on board with his decision.
“I want to thank the New York Yankees organization for their encouragement and understanding,” he said. “Their support gives me great strength and has allowed me to move forward with this decision with a clear mind.”
The Yankees take on the Houston Astros on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium in the winner-take-all American League Wild Card Game.
Check out Sabathia’s full statement below, via FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
