Nova retired all six batters he faced in his first spring action Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Nova, who could pitch for the Dominican Republic in the second round of the World Baseball Classic in March, is set to start Pittsburgh's home opener four games into the season. Nova probably won't match the stunning 52:3 K:BB in 64.2 innings he compiled after coming over to the Bucs last summer, but he figures to see a continuing uptick in peripherals now that he's out of Yankees Stadium and the AL East.