Skip to content

Yankees replace Sabathia on ALCS roster, ending his 19-year career

Emilee Chinn / Getty Images Sport / Getty

CC Sabathia has thrown his last pitch in the majors, and Cooperstown is likely his next stop.

The New York Yankees replaced the injured lefty on their American League Championship Series roster with right-hander Ben Heller on Friday, ending the 19-year veteran's career, the club announced.

Sabathia suffered a subluxation of his left shoulder joint in Game 4 on Thursday. The 39-year-old now isn't eligible for the World Series if the Yankees advance.

Prior to this season, Sabathia said 2019 would be his final campaign in the majors.

"There are 50,000 people in the Bronx, and that shit don't start until I'm ready," Sabathia said Friday when asked about his favorite part about pitching, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

"It makes me feel like I made the right choice 11 years ago," he added while talking about the Yankee Stadium crowd chanting his name, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Sabathia dealt with several ailments during his final season, including a knee issue that would've required season-ending surgery. However, the former Cy Young winner said he didn't undergo the procedure because of New York's status as a World Series contender.

The six-time All-Star ends his career with 251 wins and 3,093 strikeouts over 3,577 1/3 innings with the Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and Milwaukee Brewers.

Sabathia is one of only 18 pitchers in MLB history to strike out 3,000 or more batters. 14 of those are in the Hall of Fame with only Roger Clemens, Curt Shilling, and Houston Astros ace Justin Verlander not in Cooperstown.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox