YES Network.com

The Yankees have placed pitcher CC Sabathia on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin.

The lefty, who is 9-3 with a 3.45 ERA this year, first felt discomfort during the fourth inning of Sunday night’s game against the Mets, but he did not tell the team until after his bullpen session on Tuesday.

An MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain of his left adductor muscle, and Sabathia was placed on the DL on Wednesday morning. Manager Joe Girardi said the team expects Sabathia to only miss two starts and return after the All-Star break.

"Dr. Ahmad said if we give him the 10-15 days, that’s going to heal and it should not be an issue,” Girardi said. “Obviously you don’t want to miss him ... You’re talking about him missing two starts. You could have tried maybe to have him not start this Friday and then have him start on Wednesday, but our thought is you’re risking him maybe missing 7-8 starts if he hurts it worse on Wednesday. He’s going to miss a start against the White Sox and Rays and that should be it.."

Added general manager Brian Cashman: "He's a competitor and he wants to be out there. He feels he can pitch with it right now, but we’re not going to mess with it."

Freddy Garcia, who lost his rotation spot earlier this season and has since worked in long relief, was expected to start in place of Sabathia Friday night against the White Sox, but was forced into 2 1/3 innings of action in the Yankees' 5-4 win over Cleveland on Wednesday.

Instead, right-hander Adam Warren will be called up from Triple-A Scranton to start on Friday, with Garcia expected to get the ball for Monday's game with Tampa Bay.