Nova, Garcia to the rotation; Colon=New Aceves

Joe Girardi announced today that SuperNova will be the fourth man in the rotation and Freddy Garcia will be the fifth. He also revealed his plans to use Bartolo Colon as a long reliever, akin to how he used Al Aceves in 2009.

The news about Nova shouldn’t come as a surprise, as anyone who’s followed the team recently could have concluded that that’s what was bound to happen. What is a shock, at least to me, is that Fabulous Freddy made the rotation and Colon is in the ‘pen. Bart has outperformed his counterpart for the most part this spring, and I really can’t figure out why Girardi did this.

The only thing I can think of is that Garcia seemed to want out if he didn’t make the rotation and Colon appeared willing to assume a relief role, and the team didn’t want to lose either in case of injury. But even that is kind of a far-fetched theory.

Girardi also said that Pedro Feliciano, who was signed to a two-year, $8 million contract with a club option for 2013 in the offseason, might start the season on the DL due to upper-arm tightness. The team should know for sure by Tuesday. Serves them right for bringing in a Met.

It seems likely that Gustavo Molina (no relation) will be the backup catcher when the season starts. Jesus played himself out of the spot late in spring training and Austin Romine is also not ready. Methinks that the non-Molina Molina is just a spot filler until Frankie Cervelli is all healed.

Finally, Girardi said that he will announce the roster on Monday. Eric Chavez, who is hitting .410 this spring, seems like a shoo-in to make it, and Monday will be the last day to add him. He is in camp on a minor-league deal and can request to be added to the roster on Sunday; after he does so, the Yanks have 24 hours to agree or he can opt out and go somewhere else.

Cashman on Chavez:

"I don’t think he can look any better than he looks. He’s done everything he needs to do."

Girardi added that the perpetually-injured Chavez has “looked really, really good” this spring and has shown no signs of injury. So you can expect to see him break camp with the team.