Starting pitcher Ivan Nova has now officially been kicked from the New York Yankees rotation because of poor overall performance in 2015.
By Robby Sabo
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi suddenly finds himself in a tricky situation. With 14-game winner Nathan Eovaldi still sidelined due to a bum elbow, a replacement was needed.
Young flamethrower Luis Severino basically became that replacement.
Now that Adam Warren transition back to the starting rotation is almost complete, somebody needs to be kicked. That guy will be Ivan Nova.
This is a pure demotion. No injury was needed. Nova’s struggling ways since his return from Tommy John surgery forced the Bombers to take Warren – who proves very valuable in the pen – out and back into the rotation.
This is something that could hurt their chances in a short series in October – not having the flexibility of Warren on a moment’s notice.
Joe Girardi explained the line of thinking here, via Wallace Matthews of ESPN New York.
“They say the last thing that comes is the command,” Girardi said. “His curveball at times has not been as sharp as we’ve seen it in the past.”
Nova will begin working out of the pen this weekend against the Mets at Citi Field.
“We have not made any decisions right now on when he’ll pitch again,” Girardi said. “I’m not saying that he won’t start another game, but over the weekend he’ll be in the bullpen.”
Many feel Warren in the pen would help the Yanks the most, especially down the stretch. With C.C. Sabathia’s struggling ways and Severino’s inexperience, they decided to bite this bullet.
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