In what comes as a huge blow to the New York Yankees, a team physician “recommended” that starting pitcher Ivan Nova undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery for his partially-torn UCL.
“Under the supervision of Yankees Team Physician Dr. Christopher Ahmad, RHP Ivan Nova underwent an MRI arthrogram today at New York Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan,” a Yankees press release said. “Results of the exam confirmed the original diagnosis of a partial tear to the right ulnar collateral ligament. Surgery has been recommended.”
Nova was already not pitching as well as he did in 2013. His ERA was at a staggering 8.27 over 20 and 2/3 innings pitched following his early exit Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Rays. He had posted a respectable 3.10 ERA over 139 and 1/3 innings last season.
The team had hoped that Nova would be able to rehab the injury, but the injury-plagued Yankees are out of luck once again. They called up 23-year-old right-hander Bryan Mitchell, who may be competing to take Nova’s place. The Yankees had given southpaw Vidal Nuno a spot in the rotation Sunday, but the team has yet to declare an official replacement.
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