Nova Needs To Find Control of Fastball If He Wants to Start

DUNEDIN, Fla. — If Ivan Nova doesn’t start locating his fastball there is a chance he will be relocated from the Yankees’ rotation.  Yesterday against the Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium, Nova struggled to throw the fastball for strikes and gave up five runs and five hits in 2 2/3 innings in a 6-1 loss. “I felt good, but the location again,’’ said Nova, a 16-game winner last year as a rookie who doesn’t have a guaranteed spot in the rotation. “If you can’t get ahead with the fastball you are going to have problems.’’  Nova is competing with Michael Pineda, Freddy Garcia and Phil Hughes for the final three spots in the rotation.  “Hopefully, it will be there next time,’’ Nova said of locating fastballs for strikes. “Whatever happens, happens.’’  Nova is confident he can throw fastballs for strikes but is puzzled by how different the results are in bullpen sessions compared to his two exhibition outings.  “I am perfect in the bullpen, but I get [in a game] and try to do too much,’’ Nova said. “The fastball is a problem right now but I know I will get it back.’’  Girardi insisted the 53-pitch outing, which included a homer by J.P. Arencibia, didn’t put a dent in Nova’s status as a contender for a rotation spot.  “It’s the second start, these guys are getting ready to compete,’’ Girardi said.  “We saw velocity, we saw 95 [mph] today.’’  Nova’s fastball was clocked at 93 to 96 mph, his slider at 87-88 and the change at 83-84.  So, the arm strength is fine but the location needs to improve.

There's a lot of pressure on Ivan Nova to avoid a sophomore slump this year.  The 25-year was arguably the Yanks most consistent starter last year after C.C. Sabathia after going 16-4 with a 3.70 ERA. His solid record and 12-0 finish to the season prove that he can pitch in the big leagues as a number 2 starter, but if he can't find control of his fastball, he's not going to earn his spot back in the rotation.  As with each of the four pitchers competing for the last three starting spots, it's still early and 87 total pitches so far in spring action is not enough to make an accurate judgement yet.  Nova did have a big season last year, but I really hope he doesn't turn into the next Phil Hughes.  Not that Hughes has ruined his career or anything yet, but he did go off for 18 wins two years ago, only to show up to camp last year out of shape and lacking the velocity he previously had.  Nova isn't having problems with velocity, but if he can't improve location, he won't be starting.  Hopefully his issues are just a result of spring training rust.  A lot of people are saying that Nova can potentially be a Dominican Andy Pettitte, throwing a fastball, curveball and slider, and also showing poise on the mound.  We'll see. Pettitte probably would have fielded a ground ball better than this...