Ivan

Nova

The deal is worth $1 million, which is the maximum for foreign players new to the KBO. Nova, who turns 35 next month, didn’t pitch anywhere in 2021 after holding an 8.53 ERA over four starts with the Tigers in 2020.

The move happened late last week. Nova signed with the club after being released by the Phillies last month, but he didn’t end up appearing in a game. The veteran right-hander will look a better fit elsewhere.

No official announcement has been made, but we’re assuming it’s a minor league deal. Nova was just released by the Phillies at the end of spring training and isn’t anything more than high-level depth at this point. He had a brutal 8.53 ERA in four starts with the Tigers last year and didn’t pitch well this spring.

Nova requested the release and it was granted on Thursday. The 34-year-old righty had struggled to a 7.36 ERA, 1.95 WHIP, and 6/9 K/BB ratio through 12 1/3 innings in the Grapefruit League this spring.

The veteran right-hander also issued three free passes while striking out just one. After making it through the first three innings unscathed, Nova loaded the bases to begin the fourth inning before turning the ball over to his bullpen. He was actually fortunate that only one of those inherited runners eventually crossed the plate. For the spring, Nova owns a 7.36 ERA and 1.91 WHIP across 7 1/3 innings. He’s likely to begin the season as extra rotation depth at the team’s alternate site and should be ignored for fantasy purposes.

Nova gave up five runs his first time out. He’s strictly a fallback option for the Phillies rotation this year, though not a bad one. He’ll probably open up at the alternate site.

Nova coughed up a leadoff homer to Adam Haseley and recorded only one out in his lone inning. He finished with one strikeout and also issued a pair of walks. The 34-year-old righty is among a plethora of arms competing for one of the final spots in the Phillies’ rotation this spring after signing a minor-league deal this offseason. He was limited to just four uninspiring starts, in which he registered a disastrous 8.53 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 9/9 K/BB ratio across 19 frames (four starts) with the Tigers, before his season ended due to right triceps tendinitis. He can be ignored for fantasy purposes moving forward.

The deal presumably includes an invitation to spring training. Nova will make a $1.5 million salary if he’s on the major league roster. The 34-year-old posted an 8.53 ERA over four starts with the Tigers last season before going down with right triceps tendinitis.

The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster. Manager Ron Gardenhire said that Nova had “multiple setbacks” in his recovery from right triceps tendinitis and was not going to be able to make it back this season.

Nova landed on the injured list on August 15 after being diagnosed with right triceps tendinitis. The veteran right-hander holds an 8.53 ERA in 19 innings (four starts) this season with Detroit.