The Rockies released right-hander Ivan Nova from his minor league deal last week, The Athletic’s Nick Groke reports (via Twitter). It was a brief stint for Nova in the organization, as he only just signed with Colorado back on April 12.
Nova also signed a minors contract with the Phillies in January, but he was granted his release near the end of Spring Training since he wasn’t going to make the Opening Day roster. Nova’s deal with Philadelphia contained an out clause, and it isn’t known if a similar opt-out was also included in his Rockies contract — given the timing of the release, it’s possible that Nova had the ability to opt out of the deal if he wasn’t on Colorado’s big league roster by May 1, for instance.
A veteran of 11 MLB seasons, Nova posted an 8.53 ERA over 19 innings for the Tigers in 2020, missing much of the season due to right triceps tendinitis. The right-hander has been a reliable innings-eater for much of his career (tossing 187 frames for the White Sox as recently as 2019) and also delivered some solid results despite a big fastball and a below-average strikeout rate, as Nova has relied on soft contact and 48.9% grounder rate. With a 5.07 ERA/5.23 SIERA over his last 206 big league innings, however, it remains to be seen if Nova can offer anything more than just innings as he enters his age-34 season.
I’ve wondered what is the record for most teams as a member of without appearing in a game. Recently, I would think it is Ashton Goudeau, who’s been a part of the Orioles, Pirates, Giants, Dodgers, Rockies and Reds this offseason without playing any games. He did appear in two games with the Rockies last season but was DFA’d, then ended up being claimed a few days ago by them again.
when he was with the giants he appeared in a few games
No he didnt…he didnt even appear in Spring Training with the Giants.
oh sorry my bad – I was thinking of chad gaudin
Lol Chad Gaudin.. who hasn’t pitched in MLB since 2013.
Sad about Nova. He was an above average starter for the Yankees before needing TJ surgery. He rebounded a bit with the Pirates before things went sour again.
10 years of MLB service time, full pension and lifetime medical care, and banked $40M. Don’t feel sorry. :-)
If he was a lefty he would still get picked up. Had a good run.
I guess we won’t get to see if Nova implodes for the Rockies. It could have been super.