CC Sabathia departed in the fifth inning with a strained left hamstring and the Angels edged the Yankees, 3-2, in 11 innings on Tuesday night in Anaheim.

The Yankees (38-23) play Game 2 of a three-game series against the Angels (33-34) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Monday at 10:07 p.m.

Yankees starter CC Sabathia continues to shine as he picked up his fifth straight win last night over the Red Sox.

The lefty didn't let up a run, allowing only three hits while striking out five and walking none. He now leads the Yankees in wins, and owns a 1.11 ERA over his streak.

While RHP Masahiro Tanaka struggles, Sabathia has been a bright spot in the rotation. He could have gone for the complete-game shutout last night, but given his age and value to the Yankees at this point in the season, manager Joe Girardi knows he must be cautious. 

"There's always temptation (to leave him in there), but as a manager and a pitching coach, you're weighing the risk and reward there," Girardi said following the win. "We have a long way to go. He's had some minor cleanups the last few years on his knee. He's not 25. He's not even 30 anymore. We just thought it was best to get him out."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi believes his team's home stand this week is "big," according to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com.

The Red Sox are traveling to Yankee Stadium for the first time this season to play a three-game set. With another AL East opponent in the Orioles coming to town after this series, Girardi realizes how crucial the next few games are for his ballclub.

"I think it's big. I think it's big home stand," Girardi said. "We're playing Boston and Baltimore. You don't want to get ahead too far but these are really important games. We're in a stretch of 13 in our division in a row. We get to go home now. We've got to play better." 

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The New York Yankees (30-20) begin a four-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays (26-27) on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at the Rogers Centre. 

The Yankees (27-18) will try to bounce back in the second game of three-game series with the Athletics (22-25) on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. 

Brett Gardner hit a three-run home run, CC Sabathia limited the Rays to two runs in five innings, and the Yankees' bullpen tossed four scoreless innings as New York avoided a three-game sweep in Tampa. >> Click here for the full box score

CC Sabathia struck out six batters and walked one in a 95-pitch effort. After allowing a run in the first inning, Sabathia threw three scoreless innings before giving up a solo shot in the fifth. 

Didi Gregorius went 4-for-4 with an RBI, raising his batting average to .322 on the season. Gardner had two hits and Jacoby Ellsbury added a double.

Chris Carelli, SNY.tv

Alex Rodriguez had a surprising comeback season for the Yankees in 2015. In 2016, he was basically forced into retirement with a season-plus left on his contract. All of the sudden, it looks like a similar script might be unfolding for CC Sabathia.

Sabathia hurled 179 2/3 innings of 3.91 ERA ball in 2016, the first season in which he finished with an ERA below 4.70 since 2012. That's a long time to be mostly ineffective and then turn things around. Sabathia battled knee injuries and himself over those three years in which he compiled a combined 4.81 ERA in 424 1/3 innings. In 2016, the knee was steadied by a brace he used at the tail end of the 2015 season and came to grips with a transition he obviously had not fully accepted until last season.

Sabathia got off to a fine start this season, recording a 1.47 ERA in 18 1/3 innings across his first three starts. It appeared that he picked up right where he left off last year. The Yankees had a work horse in the stable. Unfortunately, Sabathia has been abysmal since. In Sabathia's last four starts (20 2/3 innings), he owns a 9.58 ERA and opposing batters are slashing .337/.416/.551 against him.

CC Sabathia allowed five runs in six innings as the New York Yankees' six-game winning streak was snapped with a 5-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park. >> Box score

After the Yankees took a 2-0 lead on solo home runs by Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius, Sabathia (2-2) gave up five runs in the bottom of the second inning.

He gave up two-run singles to Billy Hamilton and Joey Votto that gave the Reds a 4-2 lead, and Adam Duvall followed with an RBI single that made it 5-2.

While Sabathia settled down by retiring 13 of the last 15 batters he faced, the deficit was too much for the Yankees to overcome against Reds starter Tim Adleman (2-1), who gave up three runs and five hits in five innings, or the Cincinnati bullpen.

The New York Yankees look to extend their winning streak to seven games when they face the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. ET at Great American Ball Park.

Chris Carelli, SNY.tv

We weren't supposed to be speculating on the Yankees adding players at the trade deadline this season, but a 21-9 record after 30 games wasn't expected either. The magnitude of the Yankees' success has begun to percolate questions about whether the Yankees will enter the trade market to add a starting pitcher.

The Yankees lead the American League in a multitude of offensive categories and their bullpen has been spectacular. The rotation has pitched well enough for the most part, but it is the one area which could been seen as a weak link.

Masahiro Tanaka's numbers are somewhat skewed by his horrendous first start of the season, as he's generated a 3.10 ERA in six starts since. CC Sabathia got off to a fine start, reminiscent of his comeback 2016 season, but he's been dreadful (10.43 ERA) in his last three starts. Michael Pineda and Luis Severino have pitched well overall with some dominant performances mixed in with mediocre ones. Finally, Jordan Montgomery has been quite solid as the fifth starter, turning in better efforts each time out.

Yankees LHP CC Sabathia was hit hard on Wednesday night for the second-straight start, allowing six runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out five in four innings against the Blue Jays.

He allowed seven runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out six in 5 2/3 innings against the Orioles during his prior start.

Sabathia knows what he has to do to improve his results.

The New York Yankees go for the series win as they face the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. EST at Yankee Stadium.

BOSTON (AP) -- The Latest on Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones being taunted with racial slurs at Fenway Park (all times local):

6:10 p.m.

Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia says black baseball players know to expect racial taunts when playing in Boston.

''We know. There's 62 of us and we all know: When you go to Boston, expect it,''

Chris Carelli, SNY.tv

The New York Yankees hoped to be competitive and not fall behind in the season's opening month as they did in 2016. A rough start on the road was erased by an eight-game winning streak and the Yanks won five of their last six series, propelling them into a surprising position in the standings.

Where the Yankees stand

Record: 15-8, T-1st AL East, Home: 10-2, Road: 5-6

The Yankees dropped their 16th game of 2017 and fell to 10-6. Starting pitcher, CC Sabathia gave up two home runs and the team never recovered. 

In the bottom of the first, the Pirates opened the scoring in PNC Park after a Jordy Mercer homerun. Brett Gardner walked in the third and would eventually notch New York's first run of the night. 

The Yankees look to improve their 10-5 record against a Pittsburgh team that has either fallen to a sweep or escaped with one in every series thus far of 2017.

Chris Carelli, SNY.tv

The Yankees were supposed to be working the 2017 season without a strong collection of starting pitching. However, during the Yankees' current eight-game winning streak, the club's starters have silenced the detractors with a 6-0 record, 2.76 ERA and a 9.2 K/9 rate. How long can the run last?

Of the five starters, the pitcher expected to provide sterling efforts, Masahiro Tanaka currently owns the worst ERA. However, in his last start, Tanaka looked more like the pitcher who contended for the Cy Young Award last season. Tanaka had a superb spring training, but struggled in his first two starts (10 ER in 7 2/3 IP).

I don't worry about Tanaka. Once he hits a groove, he can rattle off solid start after solid start. Tanaka is the most complete pitcher of the crew and I have the plenty of faith he can put his rough start behind him.

CCC Sabathia allowed one run and three hits in 7 1/3 innings and the Yankees took advantage of sloppy Cardinals defense in a 3-2 victory Saturday at Yankee Stadium. The Yanks have won six in a row. >>Click here for a full box score.

Jordan Montgomery will start for the Yankees on Wednesday afternoon against the Rays, it was announced Monday.

Luis Severino will pitch Thursday, with CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka having their next starts pushed back a day.

To make room for Montgomery on the roster, the Yankees optioned Chasen Shreve to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Yankees will try to avoid a sweep in the final game of a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m.

Follow the game live on SNY.TV.

Who's Pitching for the Yankees: CC Sabathia (9-12, 3.91 ERA in 2016), who earned the win in his first start on April 4 when he pitched five shutout innings against the Rays. 

Who's Pitching for the Orioles: LHP Wade Miley (9-13, 5.37 ERA in 2016), who is making his 2017 regular season debut after starting the season on the disabled list.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees might not need Sabathia to carry them any longer, but they'll certainly take efforts like tonight's every time out. Sabathia turned aside a poor statistical Spring Training with a fantastic opening outing. While the Yankees would like at least another inning out of the big southpaw, they cannot complain about a start in which he doesn't allow a run.

After a full season of success and a solid start to this one, buoyed by a new approach and a comfortably supportive knee brace, Sabathia's transformation seems real. The next step for Sabathia is to figure out a way lengthen his outings by avoiding long innings like he endured in the fourth frame (30 pitches).

Sabathia will never be a front line starter again, but if he can turn in another season like 2016, he will get a job somewhere next season. Dare I ask, maybe even at the back end of the Yankees' rotation at a much, much lower price point? Stranger things have happened.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

Previewing the 2017 Yankees season, beginning with expectations for the pitching staff...

The rotation

Every single spot in the Yankees' rotation comes with at least a small amount of uncertainty.

Yankees ace Masahiro Tanaka has pitched quite well since joining the team, yet he throws with a ticking time bomb in the form of a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament. However, Tanaka demonstrated last season that his elbow does not hinder his performance and he looked exceptional during spring training. In what could be a walk year -- Tanaka has an opt-out in his contract at the end of this season -- the 28-year-old could turn in his finest season in pinstripes...

Luis Severino has made the Yankees' opening day roster and will be the team's 4th starter, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

Severino pitched 13.2 innings during spring training, allowing six runs on 12 hits while walking five hitters and striking out 16. 

The 23-year old righty went 3-8 with a 5.83 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 71.0 innings for the Yankees last season.

New York Yankees RHP Adam Warren will be a reliever to open the regular season while Luis Severino, Chad Green, and Jordan Montgomery will compete for two rotation spots, manager Joe Girardi said to Newsday's Erik Boland.

Warren, who had been considered for a rotation spot earlier this spring, had a 4.80 ERA in five Grapefruit League outings (four starts), allowing eight runs and 13 hits in 15 innings. 

Though he spent most of last season as a reliever with both the Yankees and Chicago Cubs, he split time in the rotation and bullpen with the Yankees in 2015, going 6-6 with a 3.66 ERA in 17 starts and 1-1 with a 2.29 ERA in 26 relief outings.

CC Sabathia allowed nine hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings as the Yankees beat the Phillies, 3-2, on Friday afternoon >> Box score

• Sabathia walked one and struck out one during his 5 1/3 innings. His ERA for the spring is now 6.75.
• Luis Severino struck out five batters in three perfect innings.
• Aaron Judge went 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Chris Carelli, SNY.tv

The baseball adage goes, spring stats don't mean anything. For the most part I believe this to be true, except in matters when there are trends that underlie the performance. At the moment there are a few players in Yankees camp off to fairly slow starts. What does it mean for them and for the club?

Chris Carter

Chris Carelli, SNY.tv

Bullpen use is evolving in the Major Leagues and if there is a team that has a chance to utilize one of the "new" nuances, it is the New York Yankees.

I'm not speaking of the best relievers coming into games in the fifth or sixth inning as we saw often during the 2016 postseason. While the Indians' deployment of Andrew Miller demonstrated how effective teams can be when they employ relievers that are not only dominant, but can also last more than one inning in the process, such use throughout the regular season is seen as unrealistic.

The Yankees have two dominant relievers in Dellin Betances and Aroldis Chapman, but each of them should be relegated to one-inning performances for the most part this season. If the club reaches the postseason, they could extend their appearances, but I don't expect it to happen often in the regular season.

CC Sabathia found a big positive during a rocky spring training outing - no issues with his troublesome right knee.

The New York Yankees left-hander lasted just two-thirds of an inning Sunday, allowing six runs and six hits in a 10-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

"The body feels good," Sabathia said. "I was letting some (pitches) go, and I had no problems. As far as the knee, you want to get that out of the way. Make sure you can push off as hard as you can, land and be good. I wanted to accomplish that in the game and I did."

The Yankees beat the Rays, 7-6, in 10 innings on Tuesday afternoon in Tampa.

Entering the bottom of the 10th trailing 6-4, the Yankees got a sacrifice fly from Ruben Tejada, followed by an RBI ground-rule double by Rashad Crawford and run-scoring single by Tyler Wade to win, 7-6.

• CC Sabathia made his first start of Spring Training, tossing two scorelss innings while allowing two hits, one walk, and striking out two.
• Adam Warren allowed two runs on four hits (including two home runs) while walking one and striking out none in three innings. Warren, who is battling for a spot in the starting rotation, has a 3.38 ERA this spring.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV:

Rebuild. Transition. Whatever we call it, the Yankees are operating the organization differently than they have in recent memory. What remains to be seen is whether the Yankees will stay the course regardless of whether they are winning or losing. I suggest it is imperative they do.

How the Yankees handled 2016 and the offseason

The Yankees felt comfortable entering 2016 as a few veterans experienced comeback efforts in 2015. However, a slow start and poor production through the middle of the season for some of those same players, pushed the Yankees into a direction unseen in decades...

New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner said he felt the need to step up and be a team leader as one of the more experienced players on the Yankees' current roster.

Following the retirements of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira, Gardner, 33, is the longest tenured Yankee on the roster, followed by LHP CC Sabathia, who became a Yankee one year after Gardner climbed through the farm system.

"For me, I feel like I need to be a leader, yeah," Gardner told the New York Daily News' Mike Mazzeo. "It's going to be different (without Teixeira and Rodriguez)."

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV:

One can argue the Yankees should have been prepared for CC Sabathia to break down during his seven-year deal, which was advanced by a two-year extension. Unfortunately, Sabathia's troubles developed much sooner than the club hoped and encapsulated three full seasons as he battled injuries and diminished effectiveness. Sabathia finally discovered how to pitch without a power fastball, which led to a comeback season in 2016. Can he finish off his contract with a strong 2017 season?

How did Sabathia fare in 2016?

Sabathia entered the 2016 season with skeptical optimism based on his last handful of starts in 2015. He had been fitted for a knee brace which provided him the ability to pitch while limiting stress on his surgically-repaired right knee. The brace provided Sabathia confidence in the landing of his delivery, which allowed the left-hander to concentrate on his transformation into a finesse pitcher.

Yankees LHP CC Sabathia believes the young New York team has tremendous upside entering the 2017 season, and is capabale of exceeding expectations and contending for a spot in the playoffs.

"I think we have a tremendous amount of talent in the room," Sabathia said, according to Brian Heyman of Newsday. "We are very young, but I think we have a chance to be able to open up some eyes and kind of surprise some people, I guess."

Following the end of last season, Sabathia underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Yet the 36-year old veteran says he will be ready for Spring Training in Tampa in two weeks.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV:

The Yankees' 2016 season did not end with a postseason appearance, but there were still plenty of big moments. Rather than relive each one, let's see how some of those circumstances might shape the 2017 season...

Chapman redux

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV:

The Yankees are in the middle of a transition and there is a good chance RHP Masahiro Tanaka might not be a part of it after 2017.

Tanaka can opt out of his seven-year deal after this season, and if he pitches anything like he did in 2016, he will most certainly test the free agent market. Should the Yankees allow it to get that far?

CC Sabathia spoke about Aroldis Chapman, next year's team, his offseason rehab, the starting rotation, and more while appearing at the Yankees' annual food drive on Wednesday.

He praised the Yankees' signing Chapman to a five-year, $86 million deal, telling NJ.com that "he's excited to have Chappy back. He's obviously a great piece for us. He went on to do his thing in the World Series with the Cubs but it's great to have him back."

Free agent LHP Rich Hill has agreed to a three-year deal with the Dodgers worth $48 million, the team announced Monday.

The Yankees were "all-in" on Hill, Jim Bowden of ESPN reported Nov. 29.

The Astros and Rangers were also in serious pursuit of Hill, with the Red Sox and Orioles interested to a lesser degree, noted Bowden.

Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, the Yankees announced on Tuesday. The surgery, which was performed by Dr. Ahmad, was a routine cleanup, and Sabathia is expected to be ready for spring training. Sabathia started 30 games for the Yankees in 2016, pitching 179.2 innings and earning a 9-12 record, 3.91 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. His ERA and WHIP were the lowest for the veteran pitcher since 2012, where he threw for a 3.38 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.

For years, the New York Yankees preached wanting to change how they operate the franchise, and this season they followed through at each administrative level of the organization.The Yankees did something they had not done since the early 90's -- trade veterans as part of a sell-off before the non-waiver trade deadline. Yankees GM Brian Cashman convinced ownership that this was the time to fill the farm system with as many top prospects as they could obtain for three talented players, two of whom are set to become free agents at the end of this season.The Yankees also managed to push Alex Rodriguez out the door one season before his contract was set to expire, and took at-bats away from veterans like Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann. The club turned to three prospects to prop up a stagnant offense and it nearly worked well enough to secure a spot in the playoffs.

After finishing the season with an 84-78 record, good for fourth place in the American League East, the New York Yankees can look at their pitching staff as a facet that excelled at various points in the season, but had holes throughout.RotationMasahiro Tanaka earns ace money, and in 2016 he pitched like he deserved it. The 27-year-old right-hander hurled a career-high 199 2/3 innings, generating a 3.07 earned run average (3.51 FIP). The ERA was good for third-best in the American League. Tanaka went 14-4 for the Yankees, and the team was 23-8 in his starts. He stopped losing streaks and kept winning streaks going. Tanaka is the unquestioned ace of this staff.

Mark Teixeira hit a two-out grand slam in the ninth inning to complete the Yankees' comeback from 3-0 down as they beat the Red Sox, 5-3, on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.

The Red Sox had clinched the AL East title earlier in the evening due to Toronto's loss.

• The Yankees loaded the bases with none out in the ninth inning against Craig Kimbrel and drew within 3-1 on Brian McCann's bases loaded walk. 
• Teixeira's grand slam to right center field with two outs gave the Yankees the win.
• In a scoreless game in the eighth inning, Mookie Betts' two-run double gave the Red Sox a 2-0 lead.
• A passed ball by Gary Sanchez later in the eighth inning increased Boston's advantage to 3-0.
• The Yankees managed just one hit in six innings against Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz.
• Bryan Mitchell tossed seven scoreless innings while allowing two hits, walking five, and striking out two.
• Adam Warren was charged with two runs in just 1/3 of an inning.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

Locked in a pitchers' duel through seven innings, the Yankees finally gave way in the eighth, as Jose Bautista's three-run home run proved to be the difference in Toronto's 3-0 win over New York. Read the full AP recap on SNY.tv...

• With the the teams locked in a scoreless tie in the eighth, Tyler Clippard faltered and gave up the game-deciding home run to Bautista. It was just the third home run he's allowed since coming back to the Yankees.
• CC Sabathia pitched seven strong innings, allowing just four hits to Toronto. He struck out two and walked three. 
• Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman was just as good, though, as he gave up just one hit and three walks in his seven innings. 
• The Yankees mustered just three hits and were shut out for the third straight game. 

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees have been shut out three games in a row and have thoroughly collapsed.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

In a matter of just over two weeks the New York Yankees thrust themselves into the heart of the playoff picture with a seven-game winning streak and then quickly plummeted from it, by losing seven out of eight games. With 13 games left on the schedule and a four-game deficit to overcome, what do the Yankees do from here?

In my view, the Yankees must return to the place they were on Aug. 1. At that time the club rightfully decided to focus on the future by dealing their best players and proceeded to call-up some of their best prospects over the subsequent days. The idea was to remain competitive, but provide some valuable experience for players the organization felt were a part of the future. What happened on the field was unexpected - a 17-11 month - and might be directly related to the one day at a time mentality the club possessed.

CC Sabathia gave up a three-run home run to Hanley Ramirez in the fifth inning and Tyler Clippard gave up a go-ahead solo homer to Ramirez in the seventh inning as the New York Yankees got swept by the Boston Red Sox in a 5-4 loss on Sunday at Fenway Park. >> Read more

• Ramirez went 3 for 4 with four RBIs. His solo homer off Clippard broke a 4-4 tie.
• Sabathia made a throwing error on a Mookie Betts lineout that prolonged the fifth inning. With two on and two out, Ramirez hit a three-run home run to cut the Yankees' lead to 4-3.
• Jackie Bradley Jr. hit an RBI single in the sixth inning off Sabathia to tie the game at 4.
• Sabathia gave up four runs and eight hits in five-plus innings.
• Gary Sanchez went 3 for 5 with a solo home run.
• Didi Gregorius hit an RBI single in the first inning to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead. Sanchez's home run in the third inning made it 2-0.
• Brett Gardner and Ronald Torreyes grounded into run-scoring fielder's choices in the fourth inning to make it 4-0.
• Drew Pomeranz allowed four runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees' inability to put away the Red Sox with tack on runs, coupled with Yankees' manager Joe Girardi's ill-advised moves (and non-moves) with his relievers contributed to a devastating series sweep.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

After a devastating loss to Boston on Thursday night, the Yankees have two rookies toeing the rubber, Luis Cessa and Bryan Mitchell, before CC Sabathia takes the mound in the series finale. The pitching, obviously important, is not where the Yankees have their best chance to return the favor to the Red Sox.

The Yankees entered the series needing to win three out of four to make a statement in the postseason race. Masahiro Tanaka's gritty effort should have resulted in one of the victories, but questionable bullpen management and Dellin Betances' performance created a hard to swallow two-game swing in the standings.

CC Sabathia threw 6 1/3 scoreless innings and a pair of seventh inning homers broke a scoreless tie as the Yankees beat the Dodgers, 3-0, on Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium.

• Jacoby Ellsbury and Didi Gregorius hit solo home runs in the seventh inning to give the Yankees a 2-0 lead.
• Gary Sanchez hit a solo homer in the eighth inning to increase New York's lead to 3-0.
• Sabathia allowed three hits while walking one and striking out seven in his 6 1/3 shutout innings.
• Adam Warren and Tyler Clippard each tossed 2/3 of an inning in relief.
• Dellin Betances tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the save.
• RF Aaron Judge left the game prior to the fifth inning after straining his right oblique. He was replaced by Ellsbury.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives

The Yankees needed a big start from someone other than Masahiro Tanaka, and Sabathia came through in a big way. The left-hander was thoroughly in control in this one, allowing just four baserunners and striking out seven.