Ivan Nova was perplexed when he was asked to throw a bullpen session after he arrived at Yankee Stadium on Friday. Sweating heavily from his forehead, Nova walked into the clubhouse shortly before 3:30 p.m. and was told by reporters that C. C. Sabathia had been placed on the disabled list with a left groin strain.
Suddenly, the reason for the extra throwing became apparent.
Nova is scheduled to start Monday in the opener of a four-game series against the reigning World Series-champion Kansas City Royals at the Stadium. Before Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox, Nova said that losing the spring training competition with Sabathia for the fifth starter’s spot and being sent to the bullpen had been difficult for him to accept at first but that Manager Joe Girardi had told him he would eventually get another opportunity to start.