New York Yankees fans still upset over their team's dismal showing in the ALCS now have something new to be upset about. CC Sabathia had elbow surgery on Thursday to remove a bone spur and clean out the surrounding area, according to David Waldstein of the New York Times. It was a routine arthroscopic procedure and no ligament damage was found, so it should not prohibit Sabathia from making the Yankees' Opening Day start on April 1 against the rival Boston Red Sox.

"It’s what we expected," General Manager Brian Cashman said. "It was quick, minor surgery, and everything else looked really good. The ligament is intact, so that’s very good."

All evidence suggests that this was a minor surgery and should have no long-term effects for the left-hander, but Yankees fans can be excused if the phrase "Sabathia has elbow surgery" elicits a collective loosening of the collar. The Yankees' rotation has relied heavily on Sabathia since he signed with the Yankees as a free agent before the 2009 season, as he has averaged more than 225 innings per year. And with Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte both eligible for free agency, Ivan Nova demoted to the minors and left off the post-season roster, and Michael Pineda slowly recovering from shoulder surgery, the Yankees can ill afford anything bad happening to their ace.