While the Yankees can recoup some of the money they pay CC Sabathia if his season and/or career are over, Sabathia’s salary still counts toward the luxury-tax program.
According to a person with knowledge of how the policy is written, the club would get about 65 percent of what remains on this year’s $23 million through an insurance provision.
Sabathia last pitched May 10 and went on the DL the next day with an inflamed right knee that might need the dreaded microfracture surgery. He is due to see Dr. James Andrews Monday.
If Sabathia never pitches again, 80 percent of the $73 million he is owed from 2015 to 2017 is covered by insurance.