New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia is leaving the team on the eve of the AL wild-card game to enter alcohol rehabilitation, the pitcher announced via a statement on Monday.
"I love baseball and I love my team-mates like brothers, and I am also fully aware that I am leaving at a time when we should all be coming together for one last push toward the World Series," the 35-year-old said.
Sabathia (6-10 with a 4.73 ERA) has struggled with a sore right knee this season, but his ERA dropped to 2.17 for his five starts since coming off the disabled list September 9 and he pitched the Yankees' wild-card-clinching victory Thursday against the Boston Red Sox.
The Yankees host the Houston Astros on Thursday in the AL wild-card game with the winner then advancing to play the Kansas City Royals in the AL Division Series.
Sabathia is 97-56 with a 3.18 ERA with the Yankees and has a 7-2 record in the postseason; he was the ALCS MVP in 2009.
The full text of Sabathia's statement:
"Today I am checking myself into an alcohol rehabilitation center to receive the professional care and assistance needed to treat my disease.
"I love baseball and I love my team-mates like brothers, and I am also fully aware that I am leaving at a time when we should all be coming together for one last push toward the World Series. It hurts me deeply to do this now, but I owe it to myself and to my family to get myself right. I want to take control of my disease, and I want to be a better man, father and player.
"I want to thank the New York Yankees organization for their encouragement and understanding. Their support gives me great strength and has allowed me to move forward with this decision with a clear mind.
"As difficult as this decision is to share publicly, I don't want to run and hide. But for now please respect my family's need for privacy as we work through this challenge together.
"Being an adult means being accountable. Being a baseball player means that others look up to you. I want my kids — and others who may have become fans of mine over the years — to know that I am not too big of a man to ask for help. I want to hold my head up high, have a full heart and be the type of person again that I can be proud of. And that's exactly what I am going to do.
"I am looking forward to being out on the field with my team next season playing the game that brings me so much happiness."