Sabathia avoids microfracture surgery for now, will undergo arthroscopic procedure on knee

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The New York Yankees announced Friday that CC Sabathia will have knee surgery, ending his season, but the left-handed starter is relieved that he'll avoid microfracture surgery, writes ESPN's Andrew Marchand. 

Sabathia will undergo an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee Wednesday, and his season's certainly over, but he's relieved after worrying endlessly about microfracture surgery, which is much more invasive, and what might become of his career. 

"I was very concerned," Sabathia said, days before his 34th birthday Monday. "I told my wife last night, 'My season is over, but it was the first time I was able to get some real sleep,' just knowing that I don't have to have the microfracture and I can return next year."

Recovery time from the arthroscopic procedure, which will clean out Sabathia's right knee, is six-to-eight weeks, Marchand writes, and Sabathia will then begin preparing for the 2015 season. But this is a short-term fix. Eventual microfracture surgery likely still awaits: 

"It is something I'm probably going to have to deal with the rest of my life and eventually have a big surgery. The goal is to keep playing and this is the easiest way to do it."

Sabathia's under contract through 2016. He'll make $23 million next year, and $25 million in 2016. A $25-million vesting option - with a $5-million buyout - exists for 2017, but comes with stipulations based on Sabathia's health. 

Sabathia is hopeful that the arthroscopic procedure will ensure he'll be able to pitch for another two years, at least. 

"I'm fine with [the arthroscopic surgery,] moreso than microfracture in which I'm out for 18 months or whatever it is. If that is the case, that is the best-case scenario at my age and you look at all of the innings that I pitched. I'm fine with that."

Sabathia will finish this season with a 5.28 ERA - the highest of his career - in 46 innings.