Cleveland Indians ace C.C. Sabathia says he's optimistic that he can make his scheduled start in the Indians' opener next week in Chicago.
Sabathia received a bruised left forearm when he was struck by a line drive today in a spring training game. The left-hander couldn't shield himself from a hard shot off of Toronto leadoff hitter Reed Johnson.
Sabathia told reporters that the arm has a lot of swelling, but he has a full range of motion.
X-rays taken at a hospital were negative and an Indians spokesman said Sabathia will be re-evaluated Thursday.
Any kind of injury to their Number One starter would be another blow to the Indians, who will already begin the season without left-hander Cliff Lee. He's sidelined with an abdominal pull.
Cleveland beat the Blue Jays 3 to 2, winning it on an RBI single in the ninth inning by Mike Rouse.
