The New York Yankees might have gotten good news when it comes to the health of CC Sabathia, but their pitching is still an issue and one that might need to be addressed heading into the playoffs. Ivan Nova showed on Tuesday night that consistency is an issue for the rotation and if things continue as they are the Yankees could meet their downfall early as they remain just out of first place in the American League East.
Sabathia got good news and bad news. The pitcher was removed early from his Sunday start following knee pain. The pitcher underwent an MRI and was immediately placed on disabled list with manager Joe Girardi predicting Sabathia could miss the entire rest of the season. However, according to the New York Post, Sabathia has declined to have surgery and will be able to pitch again this year after speaking with a doctor. However, does that mean he returning to a starting role or being placed in the bullpen? Sabathia is open to options.
"Helping this team any way I can is what I am here to do,'' said Sabathia, via the Post. "If that means pitching out of the bullpen, it is what it is. I'm not here to make that decision, that's not for me to make. If I'm healthy, I know I can start on any team.''
Sabathia is not the only Yankees pitcher having issue. Nova was simply obliterated by the Houston Astros on Tuesday night as the team lost 15-1. Nova has struggled all season after coming back from Tommy John surgery and this was simply another bad mark on the resume for the pitcher. Nova gave up five runs in the first innings alone. He was removed early and now fans have a right to worry about the state of the rotation as Michael Pineda returns to Masahiro Tanaka and Luis Severino.
New York has stayed quiet on trade talks with September call ups just around the corner and that could remain, but there are options for improvement that the Yankees would be wise to look at. James Shields, Tyson Ross and Ian Kennedy are all waiver options from the San Diego Padres while Jeff Samardzija is available with the Chicago Cubs. The Atlanta Braves eyed a deal for Julio Teheran once before and could do it again.
Call ups for the Yankees will likely feature Rob Refsnyder coming back to replace the slumping Brendan Ryan and Stephen Drew while Greg Bird replaces Mark Teixeira for the time being. The Yankees might not to make trade deals this late in the year, but they are one game behind the Blue Jays and need some changes.