New York Yankees don’t expect CC Sabathia to return this season

The New York Yankees are no longer expecting CC Sabathia to return to their rotation this year, given the persistence of inflammation in his injured right knee.

Asked Friday whether he believed Sabathia’s season was over, Manager Joe Girardi said: “I think that’s about fair to say.”

The six-time All-Star left-hander has been out because of a degenerative cartilage problem in his right knee since mid-May, when his earned-run average reached a career-high 5.28. The Yankees were targeting a post-All-Star-break return for Sabathia, who had begun a rehabilitation assignment.

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Unable to fully test his sore left shoulder on a wet field, David Wright remained out of the New York Mets’ lineup for a seventh consecutive game.

The star third baseman had targeted Friday night against Texas for his return. But rain prevented Wright from going through a rigorous pregame workout, so the Mets have decided to hold him out.

Said Wright: “They want me to go all out on the field first.”

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Former closer Neftali Feliz has been recalled by the Texas Rangers from triple-A Round Rock. Texas also optioned right-hander Ben Rowen to Round Rock and placed left-hander Joe Saunders on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release.

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Umpire Gary Darling has announced he will retire after a 28-year major league career that included the 2003 and 2010 World Series. Darling, 56, has been on the disabled list for the entire season. He officially joined the National League staff in 1988 and became a crew chief before the 2004 season. The San Francisco native worked All-Star games in 1993 and 2003.