Ivan Nova, Joe Girardi on same page for his next start
Joe Girardi looks on as starting pitcher Ivan Nova throws after being hit in the foot during a game against the Baltimore Orioles. (May 14, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
TORONTO -- For the second straight day, Ivan Nova declared himself all right to make Saturday's start.
Manager Joe Girardi agreed with him Thursday.
"I think he will," Girardi said.
Nova, who left Monday's start in Baltimore in the sixth inning with a contusion and sprain of his right foot and ankle, threw his regularly scheduled bullpen Thursday, throwing 25-pitches.
He said he felt the injury a "very little bit," but his pitches weren't affected by it.
"I don't think there's going to be any problem," Nova said of making the start. "I feel good."
If for whatever reason Nova can't start, the nod would likely go to David Phelps, though if the latter was needed Thursday or Friday, the duties could fall to Freddy Garcia, whom Girardi said was stretched out enough to throw about 75 pitches.
"Obviously we'll have [Nova] warm up Saturday and hopefully everything goes OK," Girardi said. "I think he'll be OK."
Too fine
One opposing team talent evaluator said the problem he saw with Hiroki Kuroda in his Wednesday start, one in which the righthander allowed a season-worst seven runs in five innings, wasn't a pitcher struggling to adjust to the AL from the NL. It was a different approach, at least in this one start, than what made Kuroda successful with the Dodgers.
"He threw five different pitches in the first inning," the talent evaluator said. "Didn't try to establish his fastball right away like you saw in L.A. Wasn't going right after guys."
Kuroda said after the start he felt the need to alter his approach.
Take two for Andy
LHP Andy Pettitte, who flew home ahead of the team Thursday, will make the second start of his comeback Friday, with far less attention, which Girardi thinks is a good thing.
"I think Andy did a good job staying in his routine but I think the anticipation is gone now that he's coming back," Girardi said. "I think that should help."
The Yankees may be close to signing former Mets righthander John Maine, who has a locker set up at the team's minor league complex in Tampa. Maine, 31, has worked out for several teams since being released by the Red Sox May 10. Maine last pitched in a big league game in 2010 with the Mets.
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