Joe Girardi not worried about CC Sabathia's slow start

CC Sabathia, typically economical with his words, stayed in character when asked to evaluate his first two starts this season.

"Bad," he said.

Sabathia has not lost in his two starts but brings a 6.75 ERA into Tuesday's start against Twins lefty Francisco Liriano (0-1, 10.00).

Sabathia, who allowed five runs and eight hits in six innings in the season opener against the Rays April 6 and four runs and eight hits five days later in Baltimore, said different issues have plagued him.

"Command was off the first game. The other day, I didn't throw enough off-speed pitches for strikes," he said. "I couldn't get the swings I wanted."

"I don't think about it too much, to be honest," Joe Girardi said. "CC's notoriously been a slow starter . . . As it starts to get warmer, and we know he likes the heat, he really starts to pitch better."