Painful Exit

The Yankees were trailing the Indians 2 - 1 in the top of the 3rd inning Sunday, when trainer Steve Donahue noticed a pained expression on CC Sabathia's face after a pitch. A quick conversation with manager Joe Girardi led to a conversation on the mound -- and an abrupt end to the big lefthander's day. The problem was knee pain -- in Sabathia's troublesome and surgically repaired right knee.
After 2014 surgery, CC knew his knee would require specialized maintenance to get him through another season. He'd already had fluid drained from it a couple of times. But this pain was different -- and troubling enough that when Donahue suggested he come out of the game, Sabathia didn't disagree. An MRI will show if there's been more damage and what treatment might help get the big lefty back on the mound.
The wear and tear of 446 starts over 15 big league seasons might be approaching point of no return. No athlete wants to give in to injury -- and as CC walks toward the dugout, it makes you wonder what's swirling in his mind as he surrenders to pain.

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