Ivan Nova has been dropped from the New York Yankees’ rotation after going 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA his past two starts. David Phelps will replace him as the starter today against Boston.
“I’m sure he’s disappointed. But that’s OK, too. This is a game where you have to be productive on a consistent basis,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Monday. “We still have him in our plans, but right now he’s just struggling a little bit.”
Nova is 12-8 this season, down from 16-4 last year. He knew the move was possible given the way he was throwing.
“If I have to pitch out of the bullpen, I will do it,” Nova said.
MLB INVESTIGATES SLUR
Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said someone posted a homophobic slur on pitcher Derek Holland’s Twitter account Sunday that was directed at a heckler.
Major League Baseball is investigating the post, which was quickly taken down. Holland said Monday in Oakland he was either pitching at the time or in the dugout and he didn’t do it. He noted that his fiancée, Lauren, is the only person he knows has access to his account and she told him she was not involved. He also checked with family members, who said they knew nothing about it.
GREENBERG TO BAT
Adam Greenberg is expected to make a pinch-hit appearance for the Miami Marlins in a game today against the New York Mets, according to Marlins manager Ozzie Gullen.
Greenberg, 31, made his big league debut on July 9, 2005, with the Chicago Cubs and was hit in the head by a pitch thrown by Marlins left-hander Valerio De Los Santos in his only plate appearance. Greenberg suffered from vertigo after the incident and strived to make it back to the majors, but did not make it higher than the Double-A level in the minors.
“I think it’s good for the kid,” Guillen said. “We decided to do it and people have to respect that about what we’re going to do with the kid. I think it’s a positive.”
SHORT HOPS
Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis underwent an examination Monday on his broken left thumb and it was determined that surgically inserted pins will remain in place for another week. Also, according to manager Buck Showalter, right-hander Jason Hammel, who has been out since Sept. 11 with a sore right knee, could be ready to pitch for Baltimore by late this week based on how he feels today. … Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins was out of the starting lineup Monday against the Washington Nationals because of an injured right calf. It’s only the fourth game Rollins has missed this season. … Dustin Pedroia was out of the Red Sox’s starting lineup Monday due to a possible injured finger he sustained Sunday. … The Yankees put Mark Teixeira back in the lineup Monday. Teixeira had been out since Sept. 8 after he aggravated a previous calf injury.
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