The Yankees expect CC Sabathia to recover from arthoscopic elbow surgery in time for the 2013 season. (Elsa/Getty Images)

CC Sabathia’s visit with orthopedist Dr. James Andrews resulted in arthoscopic surgery to remove a bone spur from his left elbow Thursday.

The Yankees expect Sabathia to recover before the start of the 2013 regular season.

The spur is believed to be the same source of soreness and swelling Sabathia has experienced off and on as far back as his seasons in Cleveland (2001-2008).

Sabbathia initially refused to acknowledge the spur affected his postseason performance, but concurred with the Yankees that it needed to be looked at this offseason.

Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia says he is concerned about his left elbow. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Although tests on New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia have not shown any ligament damage to his left elbow, the team’s ace said he is concerned enough about it and will go see surgeon Dr. James Andrews, reports the New York Post. 

CBSSports.com reports that Sabathia will visit Andrews in about 10 days to have elbow examined.

Sabathia has had a previous injury in the elbow, developing a bone spur when he pitched for the Cleveland Indians. Sabathia also spent two weeks on the disabled list in August with an inflamed elbow.

The Yankees say they don’t believe inflammation in the elbow is being caused by something that would require reconstructive surgery.

“A little bit because it’s something I have never felt before, never had a problem with the elbow,” Sabathia said when asked if he was concerned about the elbow. “I felt it off and on in between starts. But I didn’t feel it on the field.”

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman decided to send Sabathia to Andrews because he knew Sabathia would never complain about an injury following a poor post-season outing.

In his last outing, Sabathia gave up six runs and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings in an 8-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.

CC Sabathia said his left elbow did not bother him in postseason. (Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia said his left elbow was not an issue after giving up five earned runs, 11 hits and two home runs in 3 2/3 innings in Thursday’s 8-1 loss to the Tigers in Game 4 of the ALCS.

“It felt good,” he said. “It felt good enough to pitch tonight.”

When Sabathia spent time on the disabled list in August after experiencing stiffness and soreness in the elbow, he claimed it was against his will.

Despite Sabathia’s denials, general manager Brian Cashman said the Yankees will take no chances with their ace in the offseason — whether Sabathia likes it or not.

“Let’s put it this way, we’re going to look at that elbow, no doubt about it,” Cashman said. “That will be on the list of things we have to look at now that the offseason’s here. Whether he wants to or not, we’re going to go look into this thing and make sure everything’s OK.”

Sabathia was stellar a week ago, helping carry the Yankees through an ALDS elimination game against the Orioles. The 12-year veteran finished the 2012 season with a record of 15-6, 3.38 ERA and 197 strikeouts.

CC Sabathia plans on returning to the Yankees next week. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia said he will return to the mound next week after being put on the 15-day disabled list with soreness in his right elbow, according to Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com:

“August 24,” he said. “That’s the day I’m pitching.” The Yankees ace didn’t say “maybe,” or “hopefully” or “if all goes well.”

If all goes according to plan, Sabathia will make his return against the Cleveland Indians on August 24. The soonest he is eligible to return is August 23. The pain is coming from the muscles in the back of his elbow, and he believes there’s no ligament damage.

The minor injury is something he said everyone has to pitch through and if it were up to him, he wouldn’t be sitting out right now:

“This was not my decision,” he said. “I definitely argued. I thought I stated a pretty good case. It was a long conversation, and after the game they just told me they made a decision.”

The New York Yankees will be without pitcher C.C. Sabathia until after the All-Star break, reports the Star-Ledger‘s Marc Carig in a series of tweets.

CC to DL

—
Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) June 27, 2012

Sabathia had mri, grade 1 strain of adductor.

—
Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) June 27, 2012

Didn't tell team until after bullpen yesterday. Yanks expect him back after all star break. Garcia starts friday.

—
Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) June 27, 2012

The 31-year-old Sabathia is 9-3 with a 3.45 ERA in 15 starts this season. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he expects Sabathia to miss two starts, Carig reports.

Adam Warren will likely be called up to take Sabathia’s place on the roster, but no final decisions have been made, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. Warren is 5-5 with a 3.86 ERA in Triple-A this season.