BOSTON — CC Sabathia, on the injured list with right knee inflammation, threw his first bullpen session since being shut down and the left-hander said the session went well.
“It was a normal bullpen,’’ Sabathia said after the Yankees’ 6-1 loss to the Red Sox on Friday night at Fenway Park. “I felt good. I’m not sure what the next step will be, but I’m ready.”
Aaron Boone was also pleased by the 20-pitch session and didn’t rule out using Sabathia out of the pen if he’s able to return during his final season.
“We’ll consider everything,’’ Boone said. “First and foremost, [Friday] was a positive step. Now it’s about ‘Where do we go from here?’ Is he able to jump back into the rotation? We’ll see how he bounces back.”
Sabathia has only made one relief appearance in his career, but it came during the 2011 ALDS against the Tigers.
“I think everything will be on the table,’’ Boone said of Sabathia’s potential role. “We want to win — CC, as much as anyone, does. We’ll see where the next couple days and weeks take us.’’
Giancarlo Stanton had five plate appearances in a simulated game at the team’s Tampa complex. Stanton has been out since June with a strained right knee. He is expected to play in another sim game Saturday.
Mike Tauchman was removed for pinch-hitter Clint Frazier in the eighth inning. Boone said Tauchman was “fine” and he wanted to get the left fielder off his feet in the five-run game.