CC Headed To See Dr. James Andrews

From George A. King III:

Previous MRI exams on CC Sabathia’s valuable left elbow have not discovered ligament damage that would necessitate Tommy John surgery.

However, the Yankees’ ace will visit noted surgeon Dr. James Andrews this week to get an explanation why his hinge has been inflamed between starts since August.

Because Sabathia has had a bone spur in the elbow since he pitched for the Indians (his last season in Cleveland was 2008), the 32-year-old might require an arthroscopic procedure to shave or remove the spur. Or he could be told to rest.

Since the ligament was clean on tests done in August, the Yankees don’t believe the inflammation is being caused by something that would require reconstructive surgery.

Of course, there always is the chance the spur grew and caused damage to the ligament. Whatever the case, pitchers don’t visit Andrews unless there is something wrong.

Sabathia spent two weeks on the disabled list in August with an inflamed elbow. Yesterday, talking outside of Yankee Stadium, Sabathia said the swelling surfaced following every start he made since coming off the disabled list on Aug. 24.

“A little bit because it’s something I have never felt before, never had a problem with the elbow,’’ Sabathia said of being concerned. “I felt it off and on in between starts. But I didn’t feel it on the field.’’

General manager Brian Cashman decided to send Sabathia to Andrews because he knew Sabathia never would complain about an injury following a poor postseason outing.

Luckily, it seems that this is just precautionary, and at worst he'll just have the bone spur removed. Still, any time Dr. Andrews is brought into the situation it gets a little scary.