Yankees' CC Sabathia had heart surgery, to be ready for spring training

New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia is expected to be ready for spring training after undergoing heart surgery earlier this month.

Sabathia had a stent inserted into his heart to relieve a blockage in one of the left-hander's arteries, Sabathia's agent, Kyle Thousand,told The Athletic.

"CC is doing great and will be reporting to spring training on time to get ready to play for his upcoming final season in 2019," Thousand said.

Thousand explained that Sabathia "was experiencing some chest pain" and said that led the pitcher to get checked out.

The surgery, which was performed at New York Presbyterian Hospital on Dec. 11, came more than a month after the 38-year-old signed a one-year, $8 million deal to return to the Yankees for his 11th season in New York and 19th overall.

"We are thankful that CC was smart enough to convey his symptoms to our medical staff,"general manager Brian Cashman said in a statement. "... We are also encouraged that the procedure CC underwent was performed as planned.

"He is such a dynamic person beyond his excellence on the field, and we will proceed with his health at the forefront of our priorities."