Ivan Nova, Pitcher
Date of Birth: 1/12/1987
Birthplace: Palenque, Dominican Republic
Nickname: Super Nova
Ivan Nova, pitcher, started playing baseball as a child in the Dominican Republic. In July, 2004, his childhood dream of being a New York Yankee came true when the team signed him. He played in the Yankees' minor league system from 2006 through most of 2010, finishing with 35 wins to 32 losses and 434 strikeouts to 191 walks.
Nova made his first appearances with the Yankees in 2010, both as a starting pitcher and as a relief pitcher. In 2011, his first full season as a starting pitcher in the major leagues, he had an impressive 16-4 record, 98 strikeouts to 57 walks, and a 3.70 ERA in 165.1 innings in 28 games. His post-season record that year included 1 win and 1 loss and a 4.32 ERA in 8.1 innings in 2 games. He gave up 7 hits, 4 runs, and 2 home runs.
Nova struggled during part of the 2012 season. He finished the season with a 12-8 record, 153 strikeouts to 56 walks, and a 5.02 ERA in 170.1 innings in 28 games. After struggling early on in the 2013 season, he was sent back to the minor leagues. He came back to the Yankees strong, finishing the season with a 9-6 record, 116 strikeouts to 44 walks, and a 3.10 ERA in 139.1 innings in 23 games.
Nova pitched in just four games in 2014 before his season ended with Tommy John surgery. He missed the first three months of the 2015 season recovering from the surgery. He finished the season with a 6-11 record, 63 strikeouts to 33 walks, and a 5.07 ERA in 94.0 innings in 17 games.
The Yankees traded Nova to the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 1, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with a 4.17 ERA in 21 games with the Yankees and 11 games with the Pirates. He had 12 wins to 8 losses, 1 save, and 127 strikeouts to 28 walks in 162.0 innings.
Nova signed a three-year, $26 million contract with the Pirates on December 27, 2016. He finished the 2017 season with 11 wins and 14 losses, 131 strikeouts to 36 walks, and a 4.14 ERA in 187.0 innings in 31 games.
Nova had a 4.19 ERA in 29 games in 2018. He had 9 wins and 9 losses and 114 strikeouts to 35 walks in 161.0 innings.
The Pirates traded Nova to the Chicago White Sox on December 11, 2018. He finished the 2019 season with 11 wins and 12 losses, 114 strikeouts to 47 walks, and a 4.72 ERA in 187.0 innings in 34 games.
Nova became a free agent on October 31, 2019. He signed with the Detroit Tigers on January 13, 2020. He spent time on the IL in 2020. He finished the season with 1 win and 1 loss and an 8.53 ERA in 19.0 innings in 4 games.
Nova elected free agency on October 28, 2020. he signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on January 29, 2021. He was released on March 25th. He signed with the Colorado Rockies on April 12th, and he was released on April 29th. He played only in the Dominican Winter League in 2021.
Career pitching statistics for Nova through 2020 include:
- 240 games played
- 1,347.2 innings pitched
- 90-77 win-loss record
- 963 strikeouts to 368 walks
- 4.38 ERA
Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Ivan Nova
ESPN - Ivan Nova