To a surprise, starting pitcher CC Sabathia will not be available for the playoffs due to checking himself into an alcohol rehab center, he announced Monday. The 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner and six-time All-Star endured the worst season of his career in 2015, going 6-10 in 29 starts, with a 4.73 ERA and giving up 28 home runs.
Sabathia, who signed a seven-year, $161 million contract with the Yankees in 2008, is expected to be ready for spring training next season. However, at this time, his focus will be on getting over his addiction.
At his press conference, Sabathia commented:
“Today I am checking myself into an alcohol rehabilitation center to receive the professional care and assistance needed to treat my disease. I love baseball and I love my teammates like brothers, and I am also fully aware that I am leaving at a time when we should all be coming together for one last push toward the World Series. It hurts me deeply to do this now, but I owe it to myself and to my family to get myself right. I want to take control of my disease, and I want to be a better man, father and player… As difficult as this decision is to share publicly, I don’t want to run and hide…”
Comment courtesy of ESPN.com; Photo courtesy of Huffington Post