CC Sabathia, Larry Rothschild, Francisco Arcia

New York Yankees number one starter CC Sabathia, left, smiles as he thanks catcher Francisco Arcia, right, after throwing off a mound to hitters in a simulated game at the Yankees spring training facility in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, March 12, 2015. Sabathia is coming back from an injury-shortened 2014 season in which he had arthroscopic knee surgery. Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild is behind the pair, center. (Kathy Willens | AP)

FT. MYERS, Fla. -- Before the Yankees-Red Sox game Friday night, Joe Girardi told reporters he excepts CC Sabathia to start his first game of the spring next Tuesday when the Blue Jays visit Tampa for a night game.

He's on schedule, Girardi said.

Sabthia's been brought along slowly this spring after making only eight starts in 2014 before losing his season to knee surgery in July, one that's degenerative and will effect the rest of his career. (Sabathia will wear a sleeve on the knee this season.) And last season followed an average 2013 (14-13 W-L), leaving some to question whether Sabathia can still recapture the magic that's made him among the most dominating pitchers in the league for the past 15 years.

On Thursday Sabathia threw 29 pitches in a bullpen and said he felt great afterwards. Girardi said he was really pleased with the 34-year-old's outing on the backfield at Yankees' camp, one that left him bent over, winded by the end.

"It was hot out," Sabathia said afterwards.

Girardi says he hopes Sabathia can start 30 or 32 games this season -- something Sabathia's said too -- and said that Thursday was one of the biggest days of camp so far with Sabathia and Tanaka each throwing. Girardi called the day a success.

Sabathia was 3-4 last year with a 5.28 ERA in 2014. Since 2009, Sabathia's fastball has lost a velocity each year, last year reaching his lowest, at 88.8 He'll will make $48 million over the next two years.

Other notes:

Girardi also said on Friday that the club may start several cuts on Sunday.

Ryan Hatch may be reached at rhatch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ryanhatch. Find NJ.com on Facebook.