Injured Yankees LHP Sabathia could rejoin rotation next week

NEW YORK (AP) CC Sabathia has pitched a simulated game without any pain for the New York Yankees and could rejoin their rotation next Wednesday. Sabathia

NEW YORK (AP) CC Sabathia has pitched a simulated game without any pain for the New York Yankees and could rejoin their rotation next Wednesday.

Sabathia tested his injured right knee while throwing about 60 pitches before Friday night's game at Yankee Stadium against Tampa Bay. He threw four innings in game conditions while wearing a brace and said it went fine.

The 35-year-old lefty has been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 24. He is 4-9 with a 5.27 ERA in 24 starts.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that if Sabathia recovers well, he'd be set to start Wednesday night at home against Baltimore. Girardi said Sabathia would be inserted into the rotation to give the other starters an extra day of rest.

Girardi recently said there was a chance Sabathia would be done for the season, and said he was surprised at how quickly the pitcher had progressed.

The Yankees began the day holding the top AL wild-card spot.