C.C. Sabathia: No other option but to get help

New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia had no choice other than to seek treatment for alcoholism before the end of the season, the left-hander said in a interview with ABC News that airs Friday.

Sabathia announced in early October before the Yankees' American League wild-card playoff loss to the Houston Astros that he was leaving the team to enter a treatment facility. His one-month stay at a Connecticut rehab center ended last Friday.

"I know it was a bad time of the season, but there was no other option for me but to get help," Sabathia told ABC's Robin Roberts. "And I understand where, you know, fans would be upset and people don't understand, but it's a disease.

"And if it was my knee or it was anything else, then people wouldn't have a problem with it, but, you know, it being alcoholism, it's tough for people to swallow. But it's the same thing."

Sabathia had gone on a drinking binge in Baltimore the night before the Yankees' final regular-season game against the Orioles and realized he needed help.

"It was just time," Sabathia said. "Like I said, I know it was a bad time of the season, but I woke up on that Sunday morning in Baltimore and there was no other option for me but to get help."

The 35-year-old left-hander struggled with a chronic knee injury during the season and finished with a 6-10 record and a 4.73 ERA.

After getting help for the alcohol problem, Sabathia is looking forward to rejoining the Yankees in 2016.

"Just getting back with my teammates, being back in Yankee Stadium, enjoying the fans and, you know, pitching," Sabathia said. "That's what I love to do, competing. I'll be back out there 100 percent -- ready to go."