Ivan Nova to see doctor about shoulder stiffness

CHICAGO -- As one Yankees starter prepares to come off the disabled list, another could be headed for it.

Before Wednesday night's game, Joe Girardi said Ivan Nova would be headed back to New York to see the team doctor because of "stiffness" and "tightness" the struggling righthander felt in the sixth inning of Tuesday night's loss to the White Sox.

"Short term, there's a little concern but I don't think it's anything serious," Girardi said.

Still, Girardi acknowledged when it comes to a pitcher's shoulder, there's always the possibility of a longer-term issue, and he called a DL stint for Nova "possible."

"Anytime a guy says he has a little stiffness in his shoulder, you're going to worry," Girardi said. "It's a pitcher, how he makes his livelihood. If it's his left shoulder, I'm not too worried."

Nova is 1-4 with a 7.28 ERA in eight starts since the All-Star break after allowing six runs and seven hits in six innings in Tuesday's 7-3 loss. Girardi said he was unlikely to make his next scheduled start Monday against the Blue Jays at the Stadium.

Girardi said David Phelps would start in Nova's place. Phelps pitched well in two starts in place of CC Sabathia, scheduled to come off the DL to start Friday in Cleveland.

Nova called the sensation "scary," because he's not sure exactly what the problem is. "After the game, I wasn't really worried about it but today is when I felt it the most," he said.

Is he concerned?

"I'm always worried about my arm," Nova said. "I need to be 100 percent. With any kind of injury, you have to be concerned about it."