Update: Nova placed on DL with rotator cuff inflammation

by 91 Comments

Phil Hughes, Sudden Changeup Pitcher
Thursday Night Open Thread

Thursday: Nova has been diagnosed with inflammation in his rotator cuff and has been placed on the 15-day DL. The treatment is just rest and medication, and he won’t pick up a baseball for at least five days. I expect the club to be very conservative given the Pineda stuff, so it wouldn’t be a total surprise if Nova has already pitched his last game of 2012.

Wednesday: Right-hander Ivan Nova is headed back to New York to be evaluated after complaining of tightness in his throwing shoulder last night. He felt something pull in the back of his shoulder while throwing a fastball to the final batter of the sixth inning. Joe Girardi said that Nova is expected to miss at least one start and is a candidate to be placed on the DL. David Phelps will remain in the rotation for the time being and CC Sabathia is due to come off the DL on Friday.

Obviously any kind of shoulder problem is a concern, especially with the Michael Pineda fiasco fresh in our memories. Nova has been extremely durable throughout his professional career, and the only other arm injury he’s dealt with is the forearm strain that forced him from Game Five of last year’s ALDS. As poorly as he’s pitched of late, Ivan is an important part of the club and the Yankees will surely be conservative.

Phil Hughes, Sudden Changeup Pitcher
Thursday Night Open Thread
  • ultimate913

    Would never wish injury on anyone, but good god am I glad that he wont be pitching too soon again.

    • Laz

      It may be the reason why he is struggling, or more likely a reason to take him out of the rotation for the time being without saying he sucks.

    • Big Members Only (formerly RI$P FTW)

      Hopefully he’ll pull a Jeter and be rejuvenated. I’m ok with Yanks pitchers hitting the DL for a bit here and there (as long as they make the playoffs). A lil’ rest for the homestretch. Maybe I’m nuts.

      • http://twitter.com/#!/Clay_Bellinger Clay Bellinger

        I could do without any of our pitchers hitting the DL.

        • Big Members Only (formerly RI$P FTW)

          It’s also an opportunity for young guys to step up. I don’t mind it here and there, again ‘as long as they make the playoffs’.

  • jjyank

    I just hope that a (minor) injury problem is what made him suck. Hopefully some time off can get him back on track. He’s not going to help the team the way he is right now.

  • DM

    B/c of the convenient timing, I’m hoping this is just one of those Hughes-esque conditions that are used to stop his slide and take a time out –i.e., demote him without actually demoting him. I’m sure they’ll find some tendinitis and inflammation at least — but most pitchers will show something in late August after not missing a start all season.

    On a brighter note, Girardi elaborated a little more on CC’s elbow. He said the problem was actually above the elbow, not the joint or the ligament — more tricep than elbow.

  • Need Pitching & Hitting

    Makes sense to just DL him and leave Phelps in the rotation.
    Apparently, Joba would have to consent to be sent to the minors, so they may not be able to use him as the roster move for CC anyways. Just DL Nova.

  • Mick taylor

    Well, maybe Minnesota would be willing to give us liriano for nothing.

    • Dead Horse

      Stop beating me.

      • jjyank

        +1

    • The Real Greg

      TROLL

    • Get Phelps Up

      At least you seemed to have moved on from Andruw Jones. I guess that’s something.

      • jjyank

        Baby steps?

  • http://jorellrivera.com Jorell Rivera

    Phantom DL stint FTW.

    At least I hope that’s the case. Sucky as he has been I don’t want him to be hurt. I was hoping he could work out of the bullpen to get through his issues. Maybe some time off will help.

  • The Real Greg

    If the Yanks want to keep Phelps to help the bullpen, I have a quick solution trade that could work.

    Jeremy Guthrie

    Since coming over to the Royals, he’s 2-3 with a 3.23 ERA. He has experience in the AL East. A big reason for his bad pitching earlier this year was the fact that he was pitching in Colorado. A 6.95 ERA at home this year and a 3.75 ERA on the road.

    • RkyMtnYank

      Even though this is probably a bs way to get Nova back in AAA to work things out I’m glad this will finally be a way to keep Phelps in the rotation.

    • Sweet Dick Willie

      And you don’t think that BAL or TB would put in a waiver claim to keep that from happening?

      • jjyank

        Right. Kinda hard to make a real upgrade through the waiver wire when you pick last.

      • The Real Greg

        His salary is 1 year, $8 million dollars. Peanuts to the Yankees but not so much to the O’s and Rays. Waiver claims just to block are dangerous.

        • Dead Horse

          So about $2M remaining. Tampa might not risk it, but Baltimore might, especially since they could probably use him.

          • The Real Greg

            Possibly, but would Baltimore take back the pitcher they traded away a year ago?

            • Get Phelps Up

              Why wouldn’t they? From what I can remember, it was basically just a salary dump. It’s not like he was a clubhouse cancer or blocking someone from AAA or anything.

            • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

              I’m sure they would.

          • jjyank

            Heh someone forgot to change their handle back :P

            • Need Pitching & Hitting

              Oops.

              • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

                Almost a case for “The Irony Guy.” :)

        • Sweet Dick Willie

          But he’s not on irrevocable waivers.

          BAL or TB can claim him, then just not agree upon a trade, and he remains with KC.

          • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

            Since it would be his second time on waivers, they would be irrevocable. KC is more likely to sign him to an extension than trade him.

          • Need Pitching & Hitting

            True, but with Guthrie a Free Agent after the season, and KC not contending, it’s possible they don’t pull Guthrie back off waivers and just dump the remaining salary.

    • Big Members Only (formerly RI$P FTW)

      Why would they need anyone? The team has NO weaknesses. Stop being negative, Greg!

  • Peepee Hands

    This move keeps Joba here and keeps Ivan the terrible from starting again for a couple of weeks (at least 2 starts). See you on the DL Nova!!

  • Karl Neufville

    And Joba says ‘Thank You’!!!!

  • Anthony

    And the plot thickens…

  • Hoss

    Carlos Marmol has cleared trade waivers and has looked good of late. If the Cubs don’t want too much, and given the state of the Yankees’ pen, wouldn’t mind some Marmol-aid…

    • http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

      Who needs Marmol when they could just call up Betances?

      • Hoss

        He had early season troubles, but he’s pitched very well since the ASB.

        • Big Members Only (formerly RI$P FTW)

          So has Roger Clemens.

        • Big Members Only (formerly RI$P FTW)

          And Bartolo… Oops!!!

          • Andy Pettitte’s Fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)

            I wonder if the Yankees suspected something with Bartolo which lead to them not bringing him back this year.

            • Big Members Only (formerly RI$P FTW)

              I heard that they ‘suspected’ him of constantly taking huge dumps in the clubhouse and didn’t want to deal with it anymore. P! U!

              • Andy Pettitte’s Fibula (formerly Manny’s BanWagon)

                What are you, 10 years old?

                • Big Members Only (formerly RI$P FTW)

                  Two words for you: P! U!

  • jake

    Nova will eventually get tommy john surgery. It’s in his mechanics. When his landing foot lands, his elbow is below his shoulder. Every pitcher ive ever analyzed who did the same thing ended up getting tjs

    • jjyank

      Let’s hold off on that for now, huh? It’s his shoulder that’s the problem right now, and that’s unrelated to TJS.

      • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

        Shit travels in the DR.

      • The Real Greg

        TO be fair. every pitcher nowadays gets Tommy john surgery.

        • jjyank

          That’s interesting, because I can think of plenty who don’t.

    • http://twitter.com/#!/Clay_Bellinger Clay Bellinger

      LOL. How many pitchers have you “analyzed”?

  • Rocky Road Redemption

    I’m a truly horrible person because I’m honestly no too upset about this.

    • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

      I doubt you’ll jinx it by thinking that.

  • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

    Wally Matthews thought it was cover for them wanting to fix mechanical shit on the side.

    On the other hand, Wally Matthews thought it was cover for them wanting to fix mechanical shit on the side.

    • Rocky Road Redemption

      Both excellent points.

    • http://twitter.com/#!/Clay_Bellinger Clay Bellinger

      Well then now we know he’s hurt for sure.

  • DM

    Not surprising. I’d hate to see what Kuroda’s shoulder shows this time of year.

    • DM

      …esp within 48 hrs after his last start.

  • Eddard

    The best thing for Nova and the club would be to shut him down for the rest of the season. He wasn’t helping and you just don’t want to mess with those shoulder issues. We’ve got Phil as our #4 and Phelps as our extra reliever. We already have two long men for the postseason, Lowe and Garcia so Nova isn’t needed.

  • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

    Provided Andy comes back and CC still goes strong, I’m all for shelving him the rest of the way. There’s three options for #4 starter.

    Holy fuck. I agree with Eddard too. Goodbye, cruel world.

    • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

      Sorry….cut myself off there because of a phone call. I’d say, with everyone coming back healthy, there’s enough options for #4 starter in the playoffs that we can afford to be conservative with him.

    • jjyank

      I had the same problem in the last thread. I feel so…confused.

      • Eddard

        I knew it was just a matter of time before you started seeing things my way. Maybe the three of us guys should start our own rival blog. Just a thought.

        • jjyank

          Only if we can get Big Member and Plouffy to come.

          • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

            I am fully on board for a one-time guest column by Big Member on here. Just once.

            • jjyank

              Of course. That might set the page views record here.

  • Frank

    Marc Carig tweeted about 45 minutes ago Betances also placed on DL with shoulder soreness. Not good.

  • http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

    Well….now we’re just one Pettitte setback from seeing Lowe in the rotation.

    :O

    DOOOOOM

    • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

      Ramon “Shoulders” Ortiz must be at work.

  • http://fendersonandhampton.com Cuso

    Son: “Daddy? Why is there always so much kaka in the rotation?”

    Father: “I don’t know, son. I don’t know.”

    • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

      “Son, why are you spelling caca with a K?”

    • Kosmo

      I think someone`s diaper needs changing.

  • Brian S.

    See you in 2013 Nova. 5th starter with upside.

  • Greg

    So right now the rotation is CC, Kuroda, Hughes and random parts. Would not be surprised to see Cashman make another minimal move.

    • The Real Greg

      Seems almost miraculous to see where we are right now.

      • jjyank

        Greg are you talking to yourself?

        • The Real Greg

          I was. It felt very interesting. I do enjoy good conversation.

          /a bit facetious

    • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

      Sometimes I’m the savior. Sometimes I’m “random parts.”

      Love,
      David Phelps

  • Rocky Road Redemption

    No, seriously, I may be going to Hell, because it’s very hard for me to dig up any feelings of disappointment whatsoever.

    • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

      I’m going to assume you don’t want the guy’s career to end due to shoulder issues, despite your current state of ambivalence.

      • Rocky Road Redemption

        No, I don’t, but having his season end doesn’t make me particularly upset.

        I’m a bad person.

        • Big Members Only (formerly RI$P FTW)

          Was the it the “I’m the best pitcher in the world” comments?

          • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

            Was it when he kicked Jerry Lawler in the head because he wouldn’t agree to call him the best pitcher in the world?

        • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

          Oh, I’m not upset about it either. If this is what he needs, this is what he needs. Other than the one start where he seemed to put it all together, his performance really wasn’t helping anyone right now.

          As long as he’s back healthy and ready to work on what’s right, he can get all the time he needs to get better right now.

  • Formerly the Blogger known as OLDMANALEX

    Josh beckett on waivers?

    • Rocky Road Redemption

      If he is, it might actually might be worth it as a depth move. As much of a bastard as he is as a depth move it might make sense.

    • RetroRob

      There are some good chicken and beer joints in the Bronx.

      Problem is he’s showing reduced velocity all year, with his fastball averaging only around 91.5. That’s down a couple miles from last year, which is significant. Add in he’s owed nearly 16M a year through 2014, which will greatly reduce the Yankees flexbility. I won’t even bring up how painful he is to watch pitching with his his 20 minutes between pitches. Well I guess I just did. Pass.

  • Nathan

    If I could go back in time just a few months ago when the Yankees signed Andy back and I said to myself “We have too many pitchers”, I would…just to tell myself “Oh just wait!”.

    • Robinson Tilapia aka Melky’s Webmaster

      These things always have a habit of working themselves out.

  • RetroRob

    I wonder if it’s even a real injury. It might give them an excuse to skip a start while he works on the side without having to announce he’s been removed from the rotation, even if it’s temporary.

    If it is real, then be conservative as possible.

  • pistol pete

    Seems likely that Nova’s been sore for a while now. He was 8 and 2 and has fallen apart since then. He’s lost command of his fastball and bite on his slider. I’d shut him down, he’s still a very young talented pitcher under team control for a few more years and extremely cheap. If CC’s not good on Friday the season is likely over. Entering into September with a 2 1/2 game lead with no CC Andy or Nova and being left with only Kuroda Hughes Freddy and Phelps just isn’t going to get it done. Fingers crossed for CC Friday it couldn’t be more important.