CC Sabathia
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New York Yankees’ CC Sabathia is remaining optimistic that he’ll be on the active roster for the American League Championship Series.

The New York Yankees are moving on to the next round of the American League postseason. They recently swept the Minnesota Twins, with their American League Division Series-clinching 5-1 victory occurring on Monday night.

However, one individual who couldn’t see the field at all during the series was left-hander CC Sabathia. The veteran pitcher (who’s retiring at the season’s conclusion) was not on the active roster due to a shoulder injury. Through the lingering adversity, Sabathia is remaining optimistic that he’ll return to the roster heading into the American League Championship Series.

Sabathia feels his shoulder is on it’s way to healing enough for him to return to the mound. This, after throwing two sessions on flat ground, per George A. King III of the New York Post. Sabathia added that he will “throw a bullpen on Wednesday and go from there.”

If the Yanks do indeed activate Sabathia for the second round, he’ll most likely come out of the bullpen. The Yankees went with James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, and Luis Severino as their starting pitchers for Games 1, 2, and 3 of the opening round. Their rotation and Game 1 lineup for the next round has yet to be announced.

Sabathia appeared in 23 games (22 starts) in his final season for the Yankees. He posted a record of 5-8 with an ERA of 4.95 and a WHIP of 1.407. He struck out 107 batters and walked 39 through 107.1 innings pitched.

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Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.