TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - CC Sabathia was upbeat after allowing one run and four hits over four innings Thursday in the New York Yankees’ 2-2, nine-inning tie against the Detroit Tigers.
“I felt great,” the 37-year-old left-hander said. “If I feel like I felt today all year. I feel like I’ll be pretty good. That’s encouraging.”
Sabathia, who wears a brace on his surgically repaired right knee, was 14-5 with a 3.69 ERA in 29 starts last season in his best season since 2012. He has adjusted to decreased velocity.
“I feel pretty comfortable with the stuff that I have,” Sabathia said.
Sabathia walked one and struck out one during his 64-pitch outing, his second spring training appearance.
“Felt great about what I saw,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I thought he commanded his pitches. A real nice step forward for him on his way.
Sabathia likely will make his first regular-season start during the opening four-game series at Toronto.
“There’s no doubt he’s made that transition, and I think you’re seeing him now real comfortable,” Boone said. “It’s been neat to see him made this transition.”
Notes: Prospect Gleyber Torres, a candidate to start at second base, was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after hitting .160 in 11 games. “Just stay focused and be ready for another opportunity,” Torres said. The move came one day after free-agent INF Neil Walker agreed to a $4 million, one-year contract. Walker is expected to start the season at second. … Walker is set to play for the first time Friday. …. C Kyle Higashioka was also optioned to Triple-A. … Former Yankees RHP Don Larsen, who threw the only perfect game in World Series history, attended the game. Larsen is 88 years old. … Senior adviser Reggie Jackson had knee surgery, one day after slipping while taking a walk.
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