Nova and Hughes To Be Skipped vs Baltimore

Via Mark Feinsand:

The Yankees had already skipped Ivan Nova in the rotation following Wednesday's rainout, keeping Phil Hughes lined up for his start Thursday.

Following Thursday's postponement, Girardi announced that Hughes would also be skipped, leaving CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte on regular rest this weekend against the Orioles.

Hughes and Nova will be available in the bullpen for the next couple days, then Hughes will pitch Tuesday and Nova Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

With this news it looks like those rain outs were a blessing is disguise.

Granderson, Nova & Hughes are Available

Nova Out, Phelps In For Tuesday's Game vs Boston

Smart move.

Nova May Have Pitched Himself Off The Postseason Roster

From Wallace Matthews:

Last October, when the New York Yankees needed one more win to extend their season another round, they asked Ivan Nova to get it.

This October, they may not even invite him along for the ride.

Thursday night, facing yet another golden opportunity to create some separation between themselves and the Baltimore Orioles, the Yankees turned to Nova.

And as he had in the fifth game of the 2011 American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers, Nova turned to stone.

His frustrating, mistake-riddled performance, in which he allowed four runs and failed to last five innings, not only sliced the Yankees' margin over the idle Orioles in the AL East back to a single game, it also raised doubts about the value, if any, of including Nova on their postseason roster, let alone in the starting rotation.

...

The manager may have bigger fish to fry but that doesn't stop us from questioning whether Nova finally succeeded in not only pitching himself out of the playoff rotation, but right off the postseason roster.

Despite his supportive words, Girardi clearly doesn't trust him anymore in a big game -- he pulled him with one out in the third five days ago against the Oakland Athletics, and yanked him Thursday with two out in the fourth -- and his facial expressions tell you something his statements try to cover up.

Nova's maddening inconsistency is driving him bananas.

"He was big for us at the beginning of the year," Girardi said. "He ended up going on the DL, and after he had that great start against Tampa, we were hoping he could get on a roll. He hasn't."

Now, he has one start left this season, Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox in a game that in a perfect world really should be meaningless to everyone but him. And yet, there is every indication that it will wind up being important, and no guarantee that Nova will get the ball again.

"We'll see. We'll see," a tight-lipped Girardi said. "That's five days away. I have to worry about tomorrow."

At this point there's really no reason to start him once October rolls around. He hasn't been the same pitcher he was last year and the only consistency we've seen from his is consistent disappointment. I'm pretty comfortable throwing out a 4-man playoff rotation of CC, Pettitte, Kuroda and Hughes, although Hughes does scare me. But with that said, I'd even put David Phelps higher up on the pecking order than Nova.

As far as his start in Boston goes, to me that all depends on how important that game becomes. If it's a make or break game for the division I don't see how you can hand Nova the ball.

Injury Updates: Tex, Pettitte, Nova

- To make that blown call on the final play of last night's game worse, Mark Teixeira re-injured his left calf and will likely miss Sunday's series finale against the O's.

- In better news, Andy Pettitte threw a simulated game on Saturday and apparently everything went smoothly. Here's a little more on Pettitte from Dan Martin:

“I felt good, it was a good day,” Pettitte said after the session. “It was another step in the right direction. I am trying to push it as far as I can with feeling a chance of injury.”

Pettitte is expected to have the ankle examined tomorrow in New York and could be cleared to run, which is one of the final hurdles he must clear before he rejoins a beaten-up rotation.

Barring a setback, the lefty would be able to field bunts and cover first base the next time he takes the mound, which should be in Boston this week. That session should last roughly 60 pitches and may be his final rehab appearance

- Ivan Nova came off the DL last night and instead of being inserted into the rotation the Yankees decided to to put him in the bullpen.

“He is in the bullpen for now. Our bullpen has been used a lot,’’ said Joe Girardi, who as of Friday had not made a decision on who would start today. “We will put him down there for now and then we will make some decisions.’’

Asked if Nova was a candidate to take David Phelps’ start Wednesday in Boston, Girardi danced.

“We are not that far ahead,’’ Girardi said. “With these tricky weather conditions, I am not sure what we are going to need.’’

But at some point, Nova is going to start.

“We have always considered him a rotation guy,’’ Girardi said. “He is not a guy who has pitched out of the bullpen a lot. Our concern was to get him back healthy.” I had the rotation set — that’s Freddy. We didn’t know what we were going to have in Nova.’

Personally, I'd much rather see Nova get back into the rotation over Freddy, but the Yankees seem to like to make bad moves all of a sudden.

Nova To The DL With Shoulder Inflammation

From Marc Carig:

The Yankees placed starting pitcher Ivan Nova on the disabled list today, the team announced, when an MRI exam discovered inflammation in his right rotator cuff.

Nova will not play catch for at least five days. After visiting with team physician Christopher Ahmad in New York, Nova will be prescribed medicine and rest.

Placing Nova on the DL also clears a roster spot for ace lefty CC Sabathia, who is expected to be activated for Friday's series opener against the Indians.

This also allows the struggling Joba Chamberlain to stay on the active roster, which I believe is a mistake. David Phelps will also remain in the rotation until Nova returns.

Nova May Miss Next Start

From Mark Feinsand:

Ivan Nova will likely miss his next start after feeling tightness near his right shoulder in the sixth inning of Tuesday night's loss to the White Sox.

Nova is being sent back to New York Wednesday to be examined by Yankees team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad.

Feinsand also mentioned that Joe Girardi did not rule out a trip to the DL for Nova. If that happens, David Phelps would remain in the rotation.

Maybe this is why he's been so terrible lately.

Nova Expected To Start on Saturday

From Marc Carig:

Despite a right ankle sprain that had put his next start in jeopardy, right-hander Ivan Nova remains on track to pitch against the Reds Saturday.

Nova threw a light bullpen session at Rogers Centre Thursday. He also participated in a few drills to prove he’s capable of moving well enough to field his position.

“It feels good,” Nova said. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

...

“Our plans have been for him to start,” said manager Joe Girardi, though he could still bump Nova at the last minute if he has issues while warming up for his start.

Luckily for the Yankees Nova is OK. However, at this point relatively early part of the season, it's the hitting and not the pitching that is this team's greatest concern, but you already knew that.

Hey, Guess What? More Injuries!

Here's a rundown of the most recent rash of injuries to hit the Yankees clubhouse via Marc Carig:

RHP Ivan Nova, sprained/bruised right ankle and foot, X-Rays negative The 25-year-old took a comebacker to his right ankle in the third inning and rolled the same ankle while making a defensive play in the sixth. After the game, Nova said his ankle was swollen and still in pain, though he didn't want to miss his next start. Of course, he may not have a choice in the matter.

"That's a possibility," Girardi said of scrubbing Nova's next outing. "We’ll have to be smart about it and make sure he’s OK."

...

RHP David Robertson, left oblique/rib cage soreness, tests scheduled for today Technically, Robertson's injury didn't take place last night, but rather during his last appearance on Friday. Robertson, working in a non-save situation, first felt the soreness during his outing. He iced the area and felt it again the next day. At that point, he notified Girardi, who has made Robertson unavailable since.

...

LHP Clay Rapada, head cold, viral infection Rapada finished his relief outing yesterday but had to be helped back into the clubhouse.

...

LF Raul Ibanez, hit by pitch on left elbow Girardi believes Ibanez will be sore. But Ibanez didn't seem concerned and said he'd be ready to go. Of course, he too is likely not to play today with the Orioles starting left-hander Wei-Yin Chen.

...

1B Mark Teixeira, bronchial inflammation Even though he began taking new medication to treat his condition last week, Teixeira said it has had no effect so far. He'd be more likely to heal if he were willing to take some time off. But after hitting a critical two-run homer last night, Teixeira said he had no interest in taking days off.

These injuries are very frustrating but better to have to deal with them earlier in the season, rather than later on when they can really hurt you. Nothing here seems too serious, which is obviously also a good thing.

Kimbrel, Hellickson Take Home ROY Awards

From Joey Nowak:

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel and Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson received high honors for their outstanding first full seasons in the Major Leagues on Monday, as they were named the winners of this year's Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Awards.

Kimbrel, 23, won the National League's award and was the seventh member of the Braves -- and fifth in the Atlanta era -- to do so. Hellickson joined teammate Evan Longoria to become the second player in Tampa Bay team history to be recognized as the American League's top rookie.

Kimbrel, who set a Major League record for saves by a rookie with 46, was the favorite for the award. His saves total led the NL, and he finished with a 2.10 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 77 innings for Atlanta, which just nearly missed out on the playoffs after a late-season slide.

Hellickson, 24, was a workhorse in a young Tampa Bay rotation that helped fuel the Rays to a late-season surge and into the playoffs via the AL Wild Card. He was 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA, ranking eighth in the league in ERA and striking out 117 hitters in 189 innings.

Ivan Nova finished 4th in the AL voting, picking up just one first place vote. Voting results can be found here.

Nova Injury Update

It was reported yesterday that it was a Grade 1 strain, so it's slightly worse than originally thought, but still shouldn't be an issue next spring.

Nova Injured?

Quotes From Nova on Game 5

Nova's Pregame Pep Talk For AJ

From Kimberley A. Martin:

A.J. Burnett reached into the small compartment at the top of his locker and grabbed his iPhone, eager to show off the text message that had meant so much.

The majority of Yankee Universe had all but given up on him, but as he stood alone in the corner of the visitors' clubhouse at Comerica Park just after midnight Wednesday, he spoke of one person in particular who gave him all the advice he needed for his big day.

Ivan Nova.

"I'll tell you exactly what he said," Burnett, dressed in a dark gray suit and burgundy dress shirt, told Newsday after the Yankees' 10-1 pasting of the Tigers in ALDS Game 4. "He owed me too, because I texted him all year. He said, 'I trust you and I believe in you, so let's get this series to New York, brother.'"

...

"I just told him to have fun," Nova continued, adding that he was one of Burnett's biggest cheerleaders in the dugout. "I texted him last night: We've got to take the series back to New York and you don't have to put no pressure on yourself. Just enjoy and relax and have fun. If it's working for me, it's got to be working for him."

Burnett said he couldn't help but be deeply touched by his teammate's gesture.

"You get goose bumps. Immediately, you know?" said Burnett. "[Nova's] got this thing where he wins baseballs, when he does good, from Chad [Bohling]. So he always wants to earn the baseball. So I told him, 'I said I want my pelota,' " Burnett said, referring to the Spanish word for "ball."

"It feels good. He didn't have to send me that text, you know? He calls me big brother for a reason, I guess."

What a great kid. Nova continues to show wisdom far beyond his years.

Nova Admires Andy's Moxie

From Mark Feinsand:

Ivan Nova knows his adrenaline will be pumping when he takes the mound for his first postseason start, so he's trying to draw from the experience of a former teammate to figure out how to harness those feelings.

Nova has been watching tapes of Andy Pettitte's playoff starts, hoping to emulate the cool his former teammate showed during his 42 postseason starts.

"I want to have success in the postseason; who's had more success than him?" Nova said. "Doesn't it make sense to see what he did? That's the time you have to relax and stay calm. That guy seemed so relaxed on the mound in so many big games. That's what I'm looking to do."

Joe Girardi was happy to hear that Nova had started his mental preparation for the postseason.

"Players that are able to control their emotions in the playoffs usually have the most success; Andy was real good at that," Girardi said. "Ivan is trying to learn as much as he can and take it all in. I love that."

I agree with Girardi. The fact that Nova is mostly likely going to be a key to the Yankees postseason will only put more pressure on the 24-year-old, so it's good that he understands the situation and is trying to prepare. That said, there's a huge difference between saying you're going to try to relax, and actually doing it.

Report: Nova To Start Game 2 of ALDS

Tim Kurkjian reports (ESPN Insider required) that according to a Yankees source, "Nova is going to get Game 2." That same source, also said that they "can't see Burnett getting a start."

Not too surprising. Nova has been the Yankees second best starter, and unlike Colon and Garcia, hasn't struggled down the stretch. Burnett, well, he's a disaster, and at this point there's no reason why the Yankees should trust him in a big game. I know most fans share that same lack of faith.

Garcia Ready To Return

From Tim Bontemps:

The Yankees may have one too many starting pitchers, but Freddy Garcia doesn't think he should be the odd man out.

"I've been doing my job all year, so I probably deserve to be in the rotation," Garcia said last night.

Yes he does.

When Garcia returns to the major league club, the question will now become which of the Yankees starters -- Garcia, Phil Hughes, Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon and A.J. Burnett -- will remain in the rotation with CC Sabathia following the Yankees' series at Baltimore this weekend.

"It's not gonna be a problem this week, but I don't know what they [want to] do after we leave Baltimore," Garcia said. "We'll see what happens."

..."[The finger] was fine," Garcia said. "No problems. I'm ready for Saturday."

This should be interesting. Obviously, the odd man out should be Burnett, but his contract might just be enough to keep him in the rotation. We'll see what happens, but it would be a shame if Nova, Hughes or Garcia lost their rotation spot because of the Yankees blind faith in A.J. Burnett.

Garcia To Miss Next Start With Cut Finger

From NJ.com:

As Phil Hughes threw six strong innings in the Yankees’ 9-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays today, allowing just two earned runs and striking out six, he was doing so under the perception that he was pitching for his job.

...

But Hughes received a stay on the decision, as did A.J. Burnett and Ivan Nova, last night when Girardi announced that Freddy Garcia had suffered a cut on his finger on his pitching hand that meant he would miss his start Sunday. Garcia was cut in a “kitchen accident.”

“I told everyone I was going to tell them I was going to have a decision tomorrow as far as what we were going to do and sometimes decisions have a way of working their way out,” Girardi said.

The manager learned of the injury earlier in the week, “four or five days ago,” he said today. The Yankees had Garcia throw a bullpen session and then again on flat ground today. The cut prevents Garcia from throwing his splitter so he was taken out of the rotation for now.

So, for now Hughes and AJ stay in the rotation. As for Nova, I'm not even sure why he's mentioned in the article. Of the three, he's the one whose name shouldn't be on the list of potential rotation cuts.

Nova Could Pitch For Yanks This Weekend

From The Record:

Ivan Nova, coming back from an ankle injury, threw a simulated game at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees have a day-night doubleheader scheduled Saturday against the Orioles and Nova might draw one of those starts – as long as he’s healthy.

Last week, Nova went on the seven-day disabled list after feeling discomfort in his right ankle while covering first base. It was the same ankle that absorbed a line drive during a previous minor-league start.

According to Donnie Collins, Adam Warren is also a candidate for the start.

Nova Update

The SWB Yanks have placed Ivan Nova DL with what they're calling an ankle problem. According to Chad Jennings via Donnie Collins, Joe Girardi said that Nova is feeling better today. The right-hander went for an X-ray today, which came back negative.

Doesn't sound too bad to me, but let's just hope it isn't something that lingers.