Getting Nova it
Yankees hope Ivan’s fatigue in the past
CHICAGO — Publicly the Yankees and Ivan Nova don’t believe the arm fatigue the pitcher experienced in the last start is anything more than normal for a pitcher coming back from Tommy John surgery.
In the wake of losing Michael Pineda to the disabled list, with nobody sure when or if he will be healthy enough to return this season, the Yankees have their fingers crossed that Nova’s issue was nothing more than fatigue.
He starts Sunday against the White Sox.
On top of Pineda’s strained right forearm, the Yankees are introducing prospect Luis Severino to the rotation this week, against the Red Sox, in what will be his big league debut.
Monday night against the Rangers in Texas, Nova exited after five innings in which he allowed two runs, five hits and threw just 75 pitches. Because it was 97 degrees, the heat could have been a facture.
However, manager Joe Girardi said right arm fatigue was the reason for the premature lifting of Nova, who was the winner in a 62 victory.
Thursday, there was a report that Nova was suffering from something more than fatigue.
Nova denied the report and said he was ready to pitch.
When Chris Young was picked up by the Yankees last year, he supplied some thump late in the season and showed enough to be resigned this offseason. The move turned out well for the club, as Young has been a force against lefthanded pitching.
Going into Saturday night’s game against White Sox lefty John Danks, Young was batting .370 (37for100) with seven homers against lefthanders. He was leading the majors [minimum 90 atbats] against southpaws with a .710 slugging percentage and 1.139 OPS and was second in batting average.
Since July 11, Young was batting .435 (10for23) against lefties.
Young started in left Friday night against lefty Carlos Rodon while Brett Gardner sat. With Jacoby Ellsbury slumping, it was possible Girardi shifted Gardner to center and kept Young in right Saturday night.
George Steinbrenner’s daughters, Jennifer and Jessica, were at U.S. Cellular Field for Friday night’s 136 Yankees victory over the White Sox.