New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi, left, and pitching coach Larry Rothschild, right, watch as starting pitcher CC Sabathia throws off a mound to hitters during a simulated game at spring training baseball, Thursday, March 12, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. Sabathia is coming back from an injury-shortened 2014 season in which he had knee surgery. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - CC Sabathia thinks he is ready for his first spring training start.
The New York Yankees left-hander threw 29 pitches broken down into two innings during his first simulated game of spring training Thursday. Sabathia is lined up to possibly pitch on Tuesday.
The 34-year-old was hobbled by a degenerative cartilage in his right knee that required surgery. He didn't pitch after May 10.
"I'm not hurt. I feel good. That's the only way I'm judging myself right now," Sabathia said. "I'm encouraged."
Sabathia was seen bending over a couple times after his outing. When asked why, he said it was "hot."
The six-time All-Star was 3-4 with a career-worst 5.28 ERA in eight starts last year.
Chris Capuano, the top candidate to be the Yankees' fifth starter, will likely be on the disabled list for the first month of the season after straining his right quadriceps while covering first base on a grounder Wednesday against Boston. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection for the injury.
"It's pretty stiff and sore today," he said. "Would love to be ready for the start of the season, but it might be a week or two in."
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi, left, watches watch as starting pitcher CC Sabathia throws off a mound to hitters during a simulated game at spring training baseball, Thursday, March 12, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. Sabathia is coming back from an injury-shortened 2014 season in which he had knee surgery. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Associated Press
New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia, left, smiles as he thanks catcher Francisco Arcia, right, after throwing off a mound to hitters during a simulated game spring training baseball in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 12, 2015. Sabathia is coming back from an injury-shortened 2014 season in which he had knee surgery. Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild watches the pair from behind. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Associated Press
New York Yankees bench coach Rob Thomson, second from left, bullpen coach Gary Tuck, second from right, and manager Joe Girardi, right, watch starting pitcher CC Sabathia throw to batters during a simulated game at spring training baseball in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 12, 2015. Sabathia is coming back from an injury-shortened 2014 season in which he had knee surgery. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Associated Press
New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia reacts after throwing off a mound to hitters in a simulated game at the Yankees spring training facility in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 12, 2015. Sabathia is coming back from an injury-shortened 2014 season in which he had arthroscopic knee surgery. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
The Associated Press