General manager Neal Huntington said that he doesn't know when Nova will return from personal business, but he'll likely need to throw a bullpen session before returning to the rotation.

EDGE Analysis

"I would anticipate as wanting to get him off a mound again before we drop him right back into the rotation," Huntington said during his radio show Sunday. "He (Nova) may get a side and drop into the next series when we come back home." If the scenario holds true, then Nova would pitch against at home against Miami, but the arrangement isn't set in stone. Nova has compiled a 3.30 ERA at PNC Park in 2018, more than two runs per game better than his road mark (5.43 ERA).

Nova will not start Sunday against the Braves due to a personal issue, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

The nature of the personal issue and whether it will cause him to be skipped completely or just pushed back a day or two is not yet clear. Nick Kingham will get the call Sunday in his absence.

Nova (7-7) pitched 6.2 innings and took the loss Thursday, allowing just one run on seven hits (one homer) while striking out three in the 1-0 loss to the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Nova allowed a solo shot to Ian Happ in the fourth inning and that proved to be the only run either team would score on the night. Unfortunately, he was simply out-dueled by Cubs starter Jon Lester and failed to get any run support. He dropped his season ERA to 4.26 with a 91:27 K:BB in 131 innings. Nova will look to get back in the win column against the Braves next Tuesday.

Nova didn't factor into the decision in Saturday's 8-4 loss to the Cardinals, giving up four runs on eight hits and three walks over four innings while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander has seen his season take a downturn since the beginning of July, and Nova now has a 5.81 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and 17:10 K:BB in 31 innings over his last six starts. He'll look to right the ship in his next outing Thursday in San Francisco.

Nova (6-6) surrendered two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out two across 6.2 innings Sunday as he collected the win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

After the Pirates jumped out to a 9-0 lead, Nova allowed a pair of runs on a two-RBI single in the seventh inning before exiting. He's been decent of late, recording a victory in two of his last three outings, giving up 6 runs over 17 innings while fanning 10. The 31-year-old right-hander is slated to start next Friday against the Mets.

Nova exited after just 4.2 innings Saturday against the Brewers but allowed just a single run on seven hits, striking out three. He did not factor into the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Nova faced just two more than the minimum through four innings, but was removed before completing the fifth after allowing four singles and getting just two outs. Failing to get out of the fifth made him ineligible for the win, but he still got the job done for his team as they went on to win 2-1. Nova will next get the start sometime in next weekend's series against the Reds.

Nova didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's win over the Mets, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out two in six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Nova allowed a couple of runs in the third inning and yielded a solo homer in the sixth to exit trailing 3-0, but the Pirates offense came alive late with four runs in the ninth inning to spare him of the loss. The 31-year-old wasn't really fooling Mets hitters, producing only four swinging strikes while matching a season low with just two strikeouts, but it was still good for his third straight quality start. He'll wrap up June with an impressive 1.75 ERA over four starts and 25.2 innings in the month, and will carry a 4.02 ERA overall into Tuesday's start against the Dodgers.

Nova (finger) was activated from the 10-day disabled list ahead of his Sunday start against the Cubs, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic Pittsburgh reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nova will make his return to the mound after missing his last two turns through the rotation with a finger ligament strain on his right hand. He'll face a tough test in his return from the DL against the Cubs in Wrigley Field.

Nova (finger) will come off the disabled list to start Sunday's game against the Cubs, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nova threw 30 pitches in a simulated game Tuesday and apparently progressed well enough for the Pirates to re-insert him into the rotation without a minor-league rehab appearance. The 31-year-old will have a less than ideal matchup against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in his return.

Nova (finger) threw a two-inning simulated game Tuesday, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Nova threw 30 pitches and got up and down twice, confirming afterwards that everything went well. He'll be reevaluated Wednesday, and if everything checks out, it sounds like he could make his next appearance for the big club. Nova's return would likely push Nick Kingham from the rotation.