YES Network.com

New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia underwent arthroscopic surgery on Thursday to remove a small bone spur from his left elbow, and he is expected to fully recover prior to the start of the 2013 regular season.

The Yankees announced the surgery, which was performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala., via press release on Thursday afternoon.

Sabathia went 15-6 with a 3.38 ERA in 28 regular-season starts for the Yankees and 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA in three postseason starts, but missed two starts in August after being placed on the disabled list with what was then termed “left elbow stiffness.”

During an appearance on Mike’s On with Mike Francesa on Tuesday, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that Sabathia had the bone spur in his elbow “possibly dating back to his Cleveland days,” and while the GM “didn’t know yet” at the time if the lefty would need surgery, he told Francesa “it’s likely” and “whatever Dr. Andrews says, we’ll do.”

Sabathia himself was slightly more concerned late last week, telling the media that “I've never had any problems with the elbow before … so it’s best to go get it checked out and go from there."

But, according to all indications, the surgery was a success, and Sabathia should be back at 100 percent before winter's end.

Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroYES