Ivan Nova gave up five runs -- four earned -- in 5 1/3 innings Friday against the Twins. Justin Morneau and Ryan Doumit hit back-to-back homers off him in the second, accounting for two of the seven hits he allowed. After opening the spring by allowing one run in nine innings, Nova has given up nine runs -- eight earned -- and three homers over 11 innings in his last two starts. He's still likely to be the Yankees' fifth starter, but we're not really expecting much.

Ivan Nova surrendered four runs in five innings Sunday in a no-decision against the Pirates. Nova's first poor outing of the spring still wasn't too bad; he struck out four and walked only one. However, he did give up four extra-base hits, including a homer to Clint Barmes. David Phelps will try to capitalize on the misstep later this week.

Ivan Nova pitched four scoreless innings Tuesday in the Yankees' 3-1 victory over the Rays. Nova keeps answering each strong performance from David Phelps with one of his own. He has a 1.00 ERA and a 5/1 K/BB ratio in nine innings. We're not high on him as a fantasy starter, but he is doing enough to keep his spot on the Yankees.

Ivan Nova pitched three innings of one-run ball Thursday against the Cardinals. Nova allowed three hits, walked one and struck out two. As long as he doesn't get badly outpitched by David Phelps this spring, his rotation spot is likely safe. We're not expecting much from him for fantasy purposes.

Ivan Nova pitched two scoreless innings against a Tigers split-squad in his spring debut Saturday. The Tigers did bring Torii Hunter, Andy Dirks and Omar Infante along today, so it wasn't all that bad of a split-squad. Still, it should be noted that Don Kelly was the team's cleanup hitter. Nova is competing with David Phelps to keep his rotation spot.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Ivan Nova is not guaranteed a spot in the rotation and "has to go out and prove himself." It's not a surprise after Nova struggled badly down the stretch last season and was left off the team's ALDS roster. But, while he's not locked into a spot, he's still the heavy favorite to win the No. 5 job over David Phelps. Nova's peripherals actually improved greatly last season, so there's some sleeper potential here if he does indeed wind up with the fifth spot.

Ivan Nova is not on the Yankees' ALDS roster. Nova obviously wasn't going to make it on there as a starter, and the Yanks chose Derek Lowe as a long man over Nova. Also left off the roster were Andruw Jones and Cody Eppley.

Ivan Nova will not start Tuesday against the Red Sox. Nova has a 7.05 ERA in 11 starts since the All-Star break and a 6.23 ERA in three starts since returning from right rotator cuff inflammation, so the Yankees don't want to take any chances with the AL East title on the line. David Phelps will start instead, though he will likely be on a short leash.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said that Ivan Nova remains on track to start Tuesday against the Red Sox. Girardi indicated that he was open to making changes after Nova gave up four runs over 4 2/3 innings Thursday night in a loss to the Blue Jays, but he's holding tight for now. Nova will likely be on a short leash if he makes the start and things could change depending upon the team's place in the standings.

Ivan Nova struggled in Thursday's loss to the Blue Jays, allowing four runs on six hits in just 4 2/3 innings of work. Nova racked up four strikeouts in the game while walking two. Brett Lawrie got the Jays on the board with a two-run bomb in the third inning, and Edwin Encarnacion added a two-run double before Nova departed in the fifth inning. He'll head into his final start of the season against the Red Sox at home on Tuesday with a 12-8 record, 5.02 ERA and 153/56 K/BB ratio over 170 1/3 innings.