Yankees Place CC Sabathia on DL with Groin Strain

The New York Yankees have placed CC Sabathia on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain, reports Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. In science-speak, Sabathia has a Grade 1 strain of the adductor muscle in his upper left leg.

The Yankees expect Sabathia to only miss two starts, allowing him to return immediately following the All-Star break. Freddy Garcia will fill Sabathia’s rotation spot in the meantime, taking the hill Friday against the White Sox.

Speaking to Hoch on the subject, manager Joe Girardi said:

"He doesn’t want to go on (the DL), but he understands it’s the best thing to do. Missing two starts is better than seven or eight."

The big left-hander reportedly felt the strain during his start on Sunday but did not inform the team until yesterday, tweets Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News. Sabathia has been his usual dominant self so far in 2012, amassing a 3.45 ERA in 15 starts, striking out 105 batters in 107 innings of work.