Yankees’ Ivan Nova Out to Prove He Belongs in the Rotation

Monday was not the first time that Ivan Nova had taken the mound without CC Sabathia somehow being a contributing factor in the Yankees’ decision.

When the media previously informed Nova that Sabathia had been placed on the 15-day DL with a groin strain, he immediately assumed that he’d get the nod to fill the void in the rotation.

“I knew at some point they were going to need me to start,” Nova told reporters. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt, but it’s part of the game. You better be out there prepared.”

Yankees manager Joe Girardi handed Nova the ball on Monday night with the Kansas City Royals in town, and the right-hander was solid in his first start of the season.

He worked himself into a couple of jams, but he also pitched himself out of them. The lone run against Nova came from an Alex Gordon solo shot in the second inning. Ultimately, Nova delivered 4.2 innings of much needed quality pitching, while striking out three and allowing six hits in 81 pitches.

Girardi had set a limit of 75 pitches prior to the ballgame, but he left Nova in a tad longer to allow his starter the chance to secure the win for the official record. Since Nova did not go the full five innings, it was given to reliever Kirby Yates by discretion of the scorekeepers.

Despite Nova not picking up the win, the Yankees have to be pleased with his start. Sabathia, who pitched a sparkler to bust New York’s six-game skid in his last outing in Baltimore, will be shelved for at least the next couple of weeks as he rehabs his injury. As Nova’s pitch count allowance is increased, the team will be relying on him to maintain consistency and mow through some innings until their fifth starter returns.

If you were to ask Nova, who had been serving as the long-man in the ‘pen before Sabathia’s DL stint, he’d probably tell you he wants to remain in the rotation no matter who’s healthy. Back in Spring Training it was a two-man battle between himself and CC for the final rotation job, and CC edged him out in the final few outings.

In all likelihood, the two pitchers will assume their Opening Day assignments once Sabathia is on the mound again. Just like in the spring, Sabathia has outperformed the competition and proven that he’s worthy of receiving the ball every fifth day at the back of the Yankees’ rotation. Especially coming off of his last performance, I don’t think CC could be bumped by Nova no matter how well he fills in these next few weeks, and the organization isn’t sold on the idea of an extended six-man starting staff.

For now, the best the Yankees can hope for is a handful of dependable outings from Nova. He could open some eyes and ultimately increase his value as a trade chip if the Bombers have the elusive fortune of pitching health around the non-waiver trade deadline on August 1.

On the other hand, if he were to fall flat on his face, prospects Chad Green and Luis Cessa have been pitching their way into the picture down in Triple-A.

In particular, Green has been extremely impressive to begin his minor-league tenure with the Yankees. He threw six shutout innings in his last outing against Pawtucket, striking out nine batters and allowing only four hits. Overall on the year, Green has only surrendered five earned runs in 37 innings pitched, with a 1.11 WHIP and BAA of .215. He’s yet to serve up a dinger in seven appearances.