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Yankees' Battery Drained, Cervelli And Nova Headed To DL

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — The bad news keeps coming for the Yankees. They placed banged-up pitcher Ivan Nova and catcher Francisco Cervelli on the 15-day disabled list Saturday. It's the latest setbacks in an injury-riddled season.

Nova left Friday night's game against Toronto because of tightness in his right triceps.

"Hopefully, he can knock it out fairly quickly," manager Joe Girardi said.

Cervelli exited with a broken right hand and is expected to miss at least six weeks. Cervelli and Nova joined All-Star teammates Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Mark Teixiera on the sidelines.

The Yankees recalled catcher Austin Romine from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and also signed and selected lefty reliever Vidal Nuno from their top minor league team. Jeter, out until after the All-Star game because of an injured ankle, was transferred to the 60-day DL.

Kevin Youkilis returned to New York's lineup after missing six games because of tightness in his lower back. He was set to play first base and bat fifth against the Blue Jays.

"Our hope is that he's OK," Girardi said.

There had been an initial report Nova had pain in his elbow when he left after the second batter in the third inning. Girardi said that wasn't the case and that he thought the right-hander wouldn't need extra time to recover.

"That's going to heal," Girardi said.

Ivan Nova injury
Ivan Nova leaving the game with an elbow injury April 27, 2013. (credit: Mike McCann/WFAN)

David Phelps, who struck out a career-high nine in four innings against the Blue Jays after relieving Nova, is set to start in his place. Nova is 1-1 with a 6.48 ERA in four starts.

Cervelli was injured when he was hit by a foul tip off the bat of Rajai Davis on Nova's fifth pitch of the game. Cervelli is hitting .269 with three home runs and eight RBIs.

Catcher Chris Stewart started Saturday night against the Blue Jays.

Romine made his big league debut with the Yankees in 2011. He spent last year in the minors while rehabbing a strained lower back. He was hitting .333 with one homer and four RBIs in Triple-A this year.

Romine caught bullpen sessions by Andy Pettitte and Hiroki Kuroda on Saturday, and Girardi said he would get a chance to start.

"He's going to catch some," Girardi said.

Nuno has never played in the majors. He was 1-1 with a 1.54 in four starts at Triple-A this year.

At the Yankees' spring training complex in Tampa, Fla., Granderson took on-field batting practice for the second straight day. He also threw after fielding balls in the outfield and ran the bases.

The All-Star outfielder is recovering from a broken right forearm and is hoping to return in May.

"Everything is continuing to move forward," Granderson said. "Lots of good things. No issues swinging. No issues throwing. Just have to get stronger and repetitions on both, throwing and hitting. So, now it's a mix of strength, timing and endurance for those activities."

Also, right-hander Michael Pineda threw in his first extended spring training game against Pittsburgh minor leaguers. He faced four batters, walking two and allowing two soft singles.

Pineda missed all of 2012 with a shoulder injury and is expected to be out until at least June.

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