Debut downer: Ab strain sends Sabathia to DL

A formal announcement will be made before today's game in Chicago.
CHICAGO (AP) -- Cleveland ace C.C. Sabathia likely will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained abdominal muscle -- not the kind of strong start he and the Indians were hoping for.
Sabathia was forced from the rain-soaked season opener in Chicago Sunday night after just 37 pitches. In the third inning, he felt his muscle "grab a little bit" while delivering a pitch to Tadahito Iguchi.
"It was just the one pitch," Sabathia said. "I don't know what caused it."
Sabathia, who has posted double-digit wins the past five years, began 2005 on the DL for the first time in his career with a similar injury. He got hurt last year while warming up for his first spring training outing and missed six weeks.
The Indians said the left-hander underwent an MRI exam Monday in Chicago, hours after the club was beaten by the White Sox in the season opener.
The club said a formal announcement on Sabathia would be made before today's game against the White Sox.
No chances
In all likelihood, the Indians won't take any chances with the 290-pound Sabathia and will rest him until his injury is completely healed.
Right-hander Jason Davis, who has made 52 starts in the past four seasons for Cleveland, probably will be called up from Triple-A Buffalo to take Sabathia's spot in the rotation.
Because of three off days in the next two weeks, the Indians don't need a fifth starter until April 15.
Another option to temporarily replace Sabathia is Fausto Carmona, who was spectacular during training camp. Indians manager Eric Wedge has called the 22-year-old right-hander "our sixth starter."
Last year, the 25-year-old Sabathia was sidelined for all of spring training and didn't make his first start until April 22, when he pitched five innings and got a no-decision in a 2-1 win over Minnesota.
The Indians went only 9-14 last April. This year, the club's focus was to begin better, they may now be forced to do it without their top pitcher.
Early struggles
Sabathia struggled through the first half of last season. He dropped to 4-6 after July and was booed at Jacobs Field. But the 6-foot-7 Sabathia came on strong, going 9-1 in his final 11 starts and carrying Cleveland during its failed push for the AL playoffs.
In his final start, Sabathia pitched eight shutout innings in a 6-0 win over Tampa Bay -- Cleveland's only win in its final seven games when the Indians collapsed and missed making the postseason.
Sabathia has always had to battle his weight, but he has been more committed in the past few off seasons to staying in better shape. He pulled out of pitching for the U.S. team in the World Baseball Classic so he would be ready for the season, another sign of his resolve to be the Indians' No. 1 starter.