New York Yankees: Ivan Nova feeling well during rehab

The New York Yankees will be getting Ivan Nova back very soon, as his rehab from Tommy John surgery is going very well.

More from New York Yankees

“I feel good. I’ve got a new arm,’’ said Nova to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “If you ask that question, you know I’m going to say no [I don’t need more rehab]. I’m ready to go. But there are processes they’ve got to take here, and I understand that. But if you ask me, personally I think I’m ready to go.’’

Nova made his first rehab start on Monday in Single-A Tampa. In the start, Nova pitched 4.2 innings, allowing three hits and one run. Nova threw 73 pitches, and hit 95 mph on the gun in his first appearance on the mound.

“I was throwing changeups down [in Tampa] like I’m a changeup pitcher. I threw 15 changeups, and I don’t remember the last time I threw 15 changeups in 70, 72 pitches or something like that, and everything was working fine. I’m happy the way everything is coming out. I can’t wait to get back and be active.”

On Wednesday, Nova threw a bullpen session at Yankee Stadium, and will be making his next rehab start in Triple-A.

“I think you evaluate where he is after each start, how built up he is. He should be able to give you 90 pitches the next time, 85 to 90 pitches, and then you just look at his stuff. His bullpen was good [Wednesday]. He threw it in front of us today because we wanted to see him,’’ Girardi said to Lewis. “He has a start coming up in Scranton, so go from there.’’

The Yankees don’t seem to have any intentions of having Nova be anything other than a starter. With the rotation having Masahiro Tanaka, Michael Pineda, CC Sabathia, Nathan Eovaldi, and Adam Warren, the Yankees have some decisions to make quickly.

As Nova is on his way back, the Yankees were forced to put closer Andrew Miller on the disabled list with a forearm strain. With Miller going to the DL, Dellin Betances will be the Yankees new closer, but that will leave a void in Betances’ old spot.

If Nova is able to return soon, it could be Warren who finds himself in the bullpen once again to fill the void. This season, Warren has been great since winning the No.5 starter spot in Spring Training. Warren has totaled a 4-4 record, 3.64 ERA, and .234 batting average against.

In the bullpen last season, Warren totaled a 3-6 record with three saves, 23 holds, and a 2.97 ERA. With his experience in the bullpen last season, and a need for help after the injury to Miller, Warren will likely be moved back into the bullpen.

It is strange the timing of things with Nova’s return, which was thought to create a six-man rotation for the Yankees, but instead it will be coming a good time.

Nova will have at least one more start to make in Triple-A before the Yankees decide if he’s ready to return to the majors.

Next: Where are the Yankees in this week's Power Rankings?

More from Empire Writes Back

Home/New York Yankees