Yankees P Sabathia throws simulated spring game

Mar 2, 2009 - 11:09 PM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia pitched two innings in a simulated game Monday at the team's spring training complex.

Sabathia, scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday night, threw 28 pitches against Hideki Matsui and Kevin Cash.

"It was my first time throwing to guys without a cage or a screen up," said Sabathia, who will throw a side session Wednesday. "It just felt good."

The two-inning workout lasted just 15 minutes and also included a brief break so that Sabathia could simulate a half-inning on the bench.

The Yankees expect Sabathia, 28, to be their starting pitcher when their regular season opens April 6 against the Baltimore Orioles.

This past December, New York signed Sabathia to a seven-year deal worth $161 million, the richest contract for a pitcher in baseball history.