MINNEAPOLIS -- Things escalated quickly for CC Sabathia, who in the span of a few days went from a possible All-Star break return to not pitching again in 2014.

The Yankees are no longer expecting the return of CC Sabathia to their rotation this year. Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports

Sabathia suffered a setback on Thursday after waking up with swelling in his right knee, and now Yankees manager Joe Girardi admitted that microfracture surgery is a possibility, adding it's "fair to say" he's done for the season.

"He's going to see Dr. [James] Andrews a week from Monday," Girardi said. "[Surgery] is always a possibility when you have a degenerative knee. I'm not exactly sure if he was to have surgery what it would be, that's yet to be determined."

Sabathia, who will turn 34 later this month, is signed for the next two seasons. He will make $23 million next year and $25 million in 2016. The Yankees can buy out Sabathia for $5 million in 2017.

The Yankees are 23-26 since Sabathia's last start in May. He had a 5.28 ERA in eight starts when he hit the disabled list on May 11. Girardi entertained the notion that Sabathia may not pitch again, at least not in pinstripes.

"I think it's too early to predict that," Girardi said. "But whenever you have degenerative issues that cause surgery or things like that, there's always a little question there."