CC Sabathia wasn’t surprised his first pitch was well inside. The important thing was the New York Yankees’ ace felt good.

Sabathia threw off a mound on Saturday in Tampa for the first time since arthroscopic surgery Oct. 25 to remove a bone spur from his left elbow. The lefthander made 29 pitches during Saturday’s session, which was watched by several team officials, including pitching coach Larry Rothschild.