Yankees' Nova To Return From Tommy John Surgery On Wednesday
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Yankee are going to activate right-hander Ivan Nova from the disabled list Wednesday to make his first start since Tommy John surgery almost 14 months ago.
Manager Joe Girardi said Nova was ready to return to the Yankees despite a rough final rehabilitation outing for the 28-year-old, who is 40-22 in five big league seasons.
"I don't think you can ever make too much of what a major league hitter or pitcher is doing in a minor league situation, because it's just different," Girardi said before Monday's 11-8 loss to Philadelphia. "We just feel he's ready to go. No matter how he does Wednesday, I don't think you could say he wasn't ready or he was ready."
"I'm really anxious and happy to be back," Nova said, according to MLB.com.
In a stretch of 20 games in 20 days, the Yankees will use six starters through this turn in the rotation, ensuring Adam Warren will at least make one more start on Thursday before a possible return to the bullpen. He is 5-4 with a 3.62 ERA in 13 starts.
"We feel that it's probably important that we inject this sixth starter right now," Girardi said.
First baseman Mark Teixeira sat out Monday's game against the Phillies because of a stiff neck that has been bothering him for 10 days. Teixeira had an MRI early Monday, and Girardi was pleased with the results.
"Nothing alarming," Girardi said. "I don't know what we'll have tomorrow. We'll just have to wait and see."
Also, the Yankees selected the contracts of right-handers Diego Moreno and Nick Rumbelow from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. New York had used 20 pitchers in June, its most for one month excluding September, when rosters expand.
(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
