Sabathia won't get another start

CC Sabathia will not make another start in the regular season. Instead, the Yankees' ace will eschew the chance for his 20th win and pitch in a simulated game Sunday to prepare for his Game 1 start in the Division Series next Friday.

The somewhat surprising decision came after Sabathia threw 127 pitches in a no-decision Wednesday night. Joe Girardi left Sabathia in as long as he could in an attempt to get No. 20, but Sabathia left with the score tied at 2 in the Yankees' eventual 4-2 victory.

In order for Sabathia to start the playoffs on normal rest, he would have to pitch on three days' rest Sunday against the Red Sox. The Yankees have decided against that.

"About 45, 50 pitches," Sabathia said of the simulated game. "Then I'll be ready to go Friday. If I would have started the game, that's probably what it would have been anyway, and I want to be on five days going into the Game 1, so we'll do it on Sunday."

Sabathia, who had 19 wins in 2009 and 21 in 2010, earned his 16th win Aug. 1 but was 3-3 with a 4.30 ERA in his last nine starts. Asked if he'd be disappointed about finishing at 19, he said, "No. Maybe looking back when I'm done playing, but right now I don't really care. Just focusing on trying to win a championship."

Hughes betterPhil Hughes, who received an epidural injection Wednesday, reported improvement in his lower back inflammation. He hopes to start one of the Yankees' final games of the regular season next week.

Hughes said the Yankees are being ultra-cautious with the injury, which is related to a herniated disc he suffered in 2004. With the postseason around the corner, the epidural was a way to rush healing. "The epidural wasn't necessarily needed," he said. "It sounds bad because it's associated with childbirth, but it was two minutes, I was in and out. No problems."

Extra basesWith Francisco Cervelli (concussion) unlikely to return for the playoffs, Jesus Montero got the start behind the plate and went 3-for-3 with two walks and two RBIs in the Yankees' 15-8 loss to the Rays . . . Andrew Brackman and Dellin Betances made their major-league debuts. Brackman retired the first batter he faced on one pitch and allowed one hit and one walk in 11/3 innings. Betances was wild in his two-thirds of an inning. He walked four, hit a batter and gave up two runs.