New York Yankees Place Nova to DL, Lead Over Rays Shrinking

The New York Yankees have placed starting pitcher Ivan Nova on the 15-day disabled list after an MRI revealed Nova had inflammation in his right rotator cuff.

Nova said he felt stiffness in his last outing against the AL Central leading Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night. Nova gave up six earned runs in six innings. Nova fell to 11-7 on the season, and the White Sox swept the Yankees right out of the windy city.

It’s safe to say Nova has had his fair share of struggles since the All-Star Break. In his last 10 starts, Nova is just 2-5 with a 6.40 ERA.

The Yankees lead over the Tampa Bay Rays has been cut to just 2 1/2 so injuries are the last thing they need right now, especially in their rotation.

However, the injury to Nova does come at a somewhat opportune time for another pitcher to return the Yankee rotation as CC Sabathia is set to come off the disabled list. New York’s ace went on the DL for elbow inflammation, and the Yanks hope Sabathia’s return to the 25 man roster can turn things around.

Sabathia’s expected to start against his former team as the Yanks head to Cleveland to take on the Tribe Friday night.

New York is 12-9 in the month of August. It seemed they had the AL East locked up with a 10 game lead at the beginning of the month, but Joe Madden and the Ryas are surging; Tampa Bay is 16-5 in August.

The Rays and the Yankees play six more times this season, and if the Yanks blow what’s left of their 10-game lead it will be the biggest collapse of their storied franchise.