Girardi on Sabathia's fastball: 'Wow, it's good - really good'

CC Sabathia hadn't participated in live action in over 10 months, so excuse him if he was quick to put the modest results in perspective.

''I'm not hurt," the New York Yankees left-hander noted after his first simulated start of the spring Thursday. "I feel good. That's the only way I'm judging myself right now. I'm encouraged.''

Yankees manager Joe Girardi was decidedly more impressed with the 29-pitch outing.

"The movement and life on his fastball, I was like, 'Wow. It's good - really good,'" Girardi told reporters after the session. "I was really pleased."

Sabathia is rehabbing his way back from knee surgery performed last May to repair degenerative cartilage in his right leg. The six-time all-star pitched to a bloated 5.28 ERA in eight starts prior to suffering the season-ending injury.

The next step for Sabathia is to start in an exhibition game.

"That's up to them," Sabathia said. "We had a plan coming in. We are going to stick to it."

- With files from The Associated Press