After throwing a bullpen for the first time since going on the disabled list with a sore left elbow, CC Sabathia reiterated with emphasis that he will return to the mound on Friday in Cleveland.

"I'm pitching on Friday," Sabathia said. "I'm pitching on Friday."

Manager Joe Girardi has been hesitant to declare Sabathia his starter for Friday, saying no decision has been made yet. Friday would be Sabathia's regular turn in the rotation, slotting him in front of the No. 2 starter, Hiroki Kuroda.

Despite his words, Sabathia isn't cleared just yet. He admitted that the real test of his elbow will occur when he wakes up on Sunday to see if he feels any lingering pain from his 23 bullpen pitches.

"That's the biggest thing," Sabathia said. "Making sure that nothing comes back."

If that bar is crossed, Sabathia will throw a full 38-pitch bullpen on Tuesday in preparation for the start on Friday.

Sabathia initally was hesitant to tell the Yankees about the pain in his elbow, but relented after his wife, Amber, insisted.

"It seems like that was the best way to go," Sabathia said.

Sabathia has been on the disabled list twice this season. The first time was with a groin injury. Previously in his career, he had been on the DL twice. After his bullpen on Saturday, he said he thinks the rest has been helpful.