Nova made his final spring tuneup Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk in three innings against Tampa Bay. He struck out three batters.

EDGE Analysis

The righty, who will serve as Pittsburgh's Opening Day starter in Detroit on Thursday, pitched through knee pain for much of the season's second half last summer. He lost 15 pounds in the offseason to help improve his health. While Nova isn't a frontline option, he represents a decent streaming option at PNC Park, where he went 8-2 with a 2.80 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 74 innings last year.

Nova will take the hill for Pittsburgh's 2018 season opener against the Tigers on March 29, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The club also announced that Jameson Taillon will start the home opener versus Minnesota on April 2. Nova posted a 4.14 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 31 starts during his first full season with the Pirates last season. Positively, he's been able to cut his walk rate down (1.7 BB/9 in 2017) but only recorded a 6.3 K/9 and had some trouble with the long ball, especially away from home. Throughout his career, Nova holds a career ERA of 4.27 with 726 strikeouts in 160 starts over 980.2 innings between the Pirates and Yankees.

Nova arrived at camp looking slimmer after losing 10 pounds during the offseason, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nova made the decision to drop weight after suffering a left knee injury in 2017 -- he played through knee inflammation during most of the season, which limited his ability to work out. Nova finished the year at 11-14 with a 4.14 ERA across 187.0 innings and 131 strikeouts. The 31-year-old right-hander comes into spring training healthy, and will look to improve in 2018 after making it through his first full season as a major-league starter.

Nova left Thursday's game with an injured right index finger, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fortunately, X-rays were negative, so Nova should be able to have a normal offseason. He was injured while squaring around to bunt in the third inning. The 30-year-old ends the campaign with a 4.14 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 131:36 K:BB -- his ratios were nearly identical to those from 2016 despite worse peripherals.

Nova left Thursday's game after taking a pitch off his finger while trying to bunt, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This is a tough way to end the season for Nova, who allowed one run on four hits over two innings before he exited the game. Hopefully this isn't anything that will affect his offseason routine. Nova's strikeout and walk rates both went in the wrong direction this year, but his ratios were still serviceable. He's under contract for two more seasons and should be secure in his role as a starter entering spring training.

Nova (11-14) allowed two runs, one of which was earned, on six hits and four walks while striking out two across five innings, but received no decision Friday against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Nova allowed single runs in each of the first two innings before settling down and holding the Cardinals scoreless while the offense picked him up by scoring a pair of runs which allowed in the leave the game a 2-2 tie. After struggling through three rough outings, he's bounced back by allowing just three earned runs over his last two starts, and he could be very helpful when he makes his last start of the season next Friday against the Nationals.

Nova (calf) will make his next start Friday against the Cardinals, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nova exited his last start with calf discomfort, but it doesn't appear the issue will force him to miss a turn in the rotation. The 30-year-old was able to toss a side session Tuesday with no issues, clearing the way for him to make his next start on schedule. After an impressive start to the season, Nova has turned in an unremarkable 6.22 ERA in 11 second-half starts.

Nova (calf) said he expects to make his next start on schedule, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nova apparently doesn't think the calf discomfort that forced him out of Saturday's contest is anything that will keep him from taking his next turn in the rotation. The Pirates will likely wait to see how he responds to a side session before confirming his status, but it sounds like he might not miss any time. Nova was in the midst of his best start in nearly a month before departing, tallying six strikeouts in 6.1 innings of one-run ball.

Nova left Saturday's game in the seventh inning with right calf discomfort, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

At this point, Nova's status for his next scheduled start is up in the air. A decision regarding his availability may not be made until early next week. Nova pitched very well before the injury popped up, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out six over 6.1 innings. It was just his fourth quality start of the second half.

Nova left Saturday's game against the Reds with an apparent injury, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates have not yet provided a reason for Nova's exit, but C. Trent Rosecrans of The Cincinnati Enquirer suggested it may have been a groin issue. Nova was putting together one of his best starts of the second half before he was forced from the game, allowing just one run on three hits and one walk while striking out six over 6.1 innings.