The former Cy Young winner will not need major knee surgery and hopes to "have a normal offseason."
New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia had a bone spur removed and will avoid microfracture surgery on his right knee, according to reports from ESPN New York's Danny Knobler.
Following confirmation from his doctors ruling out the more serious operation, Sabathia has begun setting up a plan to pitch at the beginning of next season and scheduling a stem-cell injection later this month. "I'll have time for it to work this time, instead of trying to rush back," Sabathia told Knobler. "I have five months. Hopefully I'll be able to have a normal offseason."
He'll look to improve on the two worst seasons of his career in 2013 and 2014. The 2007 Cy Young winner struggled mightily this season, starting just eight games in the majors while posting a 5.28 ERA and giving up 10 home runs for his troubles.
Those troubles were made worse when he attempted to make two rehab starts in the minors before being shut down for good. However, with no cartilage under his kneecap, seasons like this may become the norm rather than the exception in what could be a Hall of Fame career.