INDIANS More tests are likely for Sabathia's elbow



The Tribe's ace left-hander played catch Monday and reported no problems.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- C.C. Sabathia isn't worried one bit about his tender left elbow. Right now, the Cleveland Indians don't seem quite so confident.
Not taking any chances with their franchise pitcher or future, the Indians made Sabathia undergo more tests on his elbow, which he hyperextended on Saturday in Kansas City.
The Indians flew their No. 1 starter home ahead of the club on Sunday to be examined by team doctors. Manager Eric Wedge said an MRI revealed "a little something there, but nothing major."
To be safe, Sabathia underwent a bone scan and other tests Monday, and the Indians, whose home opener against the Chicago White Sox was postponed by rain, were awaiting those results.
"We wanted to make sure that we looked at it from every angle," said Wedge, who feels Sabathia will make his next start. "We just want to make sure that everything that we're seeing in there isn't something that happened the other day."
Once they receive the test results, the Indians will decide what's next for the 22-year-old Sabathia, who in two seasons has become one of the AL's top pitchers.
Sabathia played catch on Monday and reported no problems.
"It went better than expected," general manager Mark Shapiro said.
Added rest
The Indians have pushed Sabathia's next bullpen session back one day to Wednesday, hoping the added rest helps.
"If C.C. doesn't have any problems when he throws in the bullpen, then he'll make his start on Saturday," Shapiro said.
Sabathia is the most valuable player in the Indians' organization. He's irreplaceable, but his status won't cause the club to make any rash decisions.
"I won't be overly cautious," Wedge said. "If he's OK, he's going to pitch. We're going to be smart about it."
Sabathia didn't seem to have a worry in the world as he strode into the Indians' clubhouse wearing a leather jacket over a throwback Oakland Raiders jersey.
Frightened
Sabathia acknowledged being scared when he first felt something unusual in his elbow.
After throwing the pitch to Tucker, Sabathia bolted off the mound and headed for the dugout thinking he was seriously injured.
Wedge said there are telltale signs that Sabathia's injury isn't serious.
"The bottom line," he said, "is the guy didn't have any swelling. He feels fine. If there was something that would have happened the other day, believe me you're going to see swelling, and you're not going to feel fine. So we've got every reason to be optimistic."
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