Yankees' Veteran Starter CC Sabathia Exited Friday's Start in 3rd Inning With Knee Discomfort

Stop us if you've heard this before in 2019, but CC Sabathia could yet again be on the shelf with a knee injury.

In his third start back from his latest spell on the injured list, the vet left-hander came up limp again, forcing Aaron Boone to remove him from Friday's game against the Oakland Athletics after just three innings.

The six-time All-Star had conceded just one run on 48 pitches at the time of his premature departure -- on a night where Boone and Co. were hoping to push him to the 85-90 pitch range.

It's too early to tell whether the Yankees hurler was removed for just precautionary reasons or if he was actually combatting significant pain. It's certainly something to ponder because, as we know, CC is as big of a gamer as they come.

The Pinstripes can only hope that Sabathia avoids what could be his fourth IL stint of 2019, two of which have stemmed from inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee.

We'd advise all Bronx Bomber buffs to tune into the Yanks postgame upon the conclusion of tonight's tilt against Oakland, where Boone is sure to provide an update on the club's beloved southpaw.