New York Yankees CC Sabathia to Check into Alcohol Rehabilitation, Miss 2015 Playoffs

CC Sabathia/USA TODAY

Shocking news came Monday afternoon as New York Yankees left-handed pitcher CC Sabathia has announced he will check into an Alcohol Rehabilitation Center.

First reported by WFANs Sweeny Murti, Sabathia will be missing the 2015 playoffs and will rejoin the team next year. The team released a statement from the pitcher earlier today, a day before the Yankees Wild Card matchup against the Houston Astros.

Sabathia’s statement read,

“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.”

Sabathia is 6-10 for the Yankees this season with a 4.73 ERA. The 35-year-old has one year remaining on his contract with the Yankees and will make $25 million in 2016. The team has a vesting option for 2017.

Sabathia also added, “As difficult as this decision is to share publicly, I don’t want to run and hide. But for now please respect my family’s need for privacy as we work through this challenge together.”

Since the All-Star break Sabathia is 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA. His most recent win secured a playoff berth for the Yankees and was their 10,000 franchise win. Sabathia thanked the Yankee organization for their continued support and encouragement.

Sabathia’s statement continued:

“I want to thank the New York Yankees organization for their encouragement and understanding. Their support gives me great strength and has allowed me to move forward with this decision with a clear mind. Being an adult means being accountable. Being a baseball player means that others look up to you. I want my kids – and others who may have become fans of mine over the years – to know that I am not too big of a man to ask for help. I want to hold my head up high, have a full heart and be the type of person again that I can be proud of. And that’s exactly what I am going to do.”

“I am looking forward to being out on the field with my team next season playing the game that brings me so much happiness.”