Yankees News: Ivan Nova Throws First BP

On Tuesday New York Yankees starting pitcher Ivan Nova threw his first batting practice since undergoing Tommy John surgery last April.

He threw a total of 20 pitches in his session at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fl and is scheduled to toss another round of live batting practice on Friday. He tore the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching elbow just under a year ago on April 19, 2014 during his start v. the Tampa Bay Rays.

Barring any setbacks, the 28-year old right hander will eventually ease into simulated games, and if all goes he will be sent on a rehab assignment. The expectation is that Ivan Nova will rejoin the New York Yankees starting rotation in June.

Despite being limited to just four starts in 2014, Nova is still 40-22 with a 4.20 ERA in 86 games started during his five-year career with the Yanks. Considering the fact that Nova is eligible for free-agency after the 2016 season, it’ll be interesting to see what happens when he makes his return to the Bronx.

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