Joe Girardi: Yankees' CC Sabathia likely to be out longer than 15 days

NEW YORK -- Two days after throwing his best game of the season, New York Yankees starter CC Sabathia is headed to the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin, and manager Joe Girardi said that Sabathia is likely to be out longer than that.

"I think the last time he had this, he was out about three weeks," Girardi said before Friday night's game against the Boston Red Sox. "I think you feel probably pretty fortunate if you could get him then."

Girardi said Sabathia (2-2, 3.81 ERA) apparently injured himself while pitching during the fourth inning of a 7-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night. Sabathia did not inform Girardi of the injury, however, and remained in the game, turning in seven scoreless innings with six strikeouts to help the Yankees snap a six-game losing streak. It was Sabathia's second scoreless outing of the season.

"It's unfortunate because it's probably the best change-up CC's had in a couple of years, probably his best outing he's had in a couple of years," Girardi said. "But you have to deal with it."

The move is retroactive to Thursday. Girardi said Ivan Nova will replace Sabathia in the rotation and will start Monday night against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. The team called up Phil Coke from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Sabathia's roster spot.

"I knew at some point during the season I would be able to make another start," said Nova, who lost the No. 5 starter competition to Sabathia in spring training and has been pitching out of the bullpen in long relief. "I don't want nobody to get hurt but it's partof the game. You just got to be prepared for any kind of need."

Sabathia, who did not speak to the media before the game, joins designated hitter Alex Rodriguez on the disabled list. Rodriguez was put on the 15-day DL on Wednesday after he strained his right hamstring Tuesday against the Orioles.

Last-place New York is 9-17 and off to its worst start since 1991.