Farm report: Ivan Nova

While discussing Andy Pettitte's most recent setback Wednesday along with how Phil Hughes' innings limits will impact the rotation, general manager Brian Cashman mentioned 6-4, 210-pound righthander Ivan Nova as a possible option to spot-start.

Nova, 23, has shined in his first full season with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, entering last night 12-3 with a 2.86 ERA in 23 starts. He has 115 strikeouts and 48 walks in 145 innings and has been particularly good his last 10 starts, going 7-1 with a 2.53 ERA.

Nova, whom the Yankees protected from last year's Rule 5 draft by adding him to their 40-man roster, came up briefly in May when the bullpen was taxed. He appeared in two games and allowed four hits and no runs in three innings.

Nova, signed as a non-drafted free agent in July 2004, is all but certain to get his first big-league start before the season is over.