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New York Yankees’ left-handed pitcher CC Sabathia doesn’t seem to care that his team is entering its first playoff series in three years as he’s decided to check into alcohol rehab. He made the announcement on October 5th, a day before the Yankees are set to take on the Houston Astros in a one game winner-take-all wild card showdown. New York finished the season in second place in the American League East Division, six games behind the Toronto Blue Jays.

The timing may seem odd to many fans, but Sabathia told the press, “Today I am checking myself into an alcohol rehabilitation center to receive the professional care and assistance needed to treat my disease. I love baseball and I love my teammates like brothers, and I am also fully aware that I am leaving at a time when we should all be coming together for one last push toward the World Series. It hurts me deeply to do this now, but I owe it to myself and to my family to get myself right. I want to take control of my disease, and I want to be a better man, father and player.”

The pitcher went on to thank the Yankees franchise for understanding his situation and giving him the support he needs. According to Brian Cashman, the baseball team’s general manager, Sabathia told him he was addicted to alcohol on October 4th via a phone call and the organization knew nothing at all about his problem. Cashman said the issue is a life problem and it’s bigger than the Yankees’ playoff game. He added that the player needs to treat the problem now so he can return to the team at a later date. However, it won’t be this season even if the Yankees make it to the World Series.

If the Yankees get past Houston they’ll be facing Kansas City in an American League Division Series and Sabathia’s spot me be taken by right-handed pitcher Adam Warren if they advance. Other planned starters in the postseason include Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda and Luis Severino, with Tanaka getting the start against the Astros. Manager Joe Girardi also has the option of using right-handed pitcher Ivan Nova. However, this is his first season back since undergoing Tommy John surgery and he’s been inconsistent on the mound.

Sabathia’s problems might have been known by some earlier in the season as he was caught on video in August when he got into a shouting match with a heckler outside a bar in Toronto. Sabathia, who’s listed at 6-feet-7-inches-tall and about 290 lbs., apologized for that incident and admitted he was wrong to get involved. Sabathia said he’s not too big to admit he needs help and wants to be accountable for his actions especially since kids look up to him. The 35-year-old former 2007 AL Cy Young winner has a career record of 214-129 with an earned-run average of 3.69. He’s won several other awards and won the World Series with the Yankees in 2009. Sabathia went 6-10 this year with a 4.73 ERA.