Ivan Nova Makes Statement on Mound; Betances Impresses In Win Over Phillies

Ever since the New York Yankees missed out on acquiring Cliff Lee in the off-season, the talk has been about the upcoming battle for two open rotation spots. Well, the battle has begun…

In Saturday’s spring training opener, Bartolo Colon got the start and was OK. Not great, not bad. Colon is one of the starters in contention.

Yesterday, one of the favorites, Ivan Nova took the mound against the Philadelphia Phillies. Nova did not disappoint. In fact, the young starter made the first real statement toward earning one of the open spots.

The right hander pitched two perfect innings, retiring all six batters he faced. Nova got four groundball outs and two strikeouts. The strikeouts were impressive as they came against Phillies star Ryan Howard and top prospect Domonic Brown.

Sergio Mitre, who will get a chance to start next week, pitched one inning of relief and gave up just an infield single.

It might be early, but the battle is already heating up.

Dellin Betances is one of the Yankees top pitching prospects. The righty pitched the fifth inning, striking out Brown, Ben Francisco, and Wilson Valdez. He did issue a two out walk, but was very impressive. Earlier in the spring, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said Betances would begin the year in the minors.

If the young prospect continues to impress, the Yankees will at least know their future is in good hands. Plenty of young players have made early impressions on the Yankees staff.

Top prospect, catcher Jesus Montero, has shown a lot of improvement in his all around game this spring. Even Yankees great Yogi Berra was impressed. Manager Joe Girardi also had nice things to say about Montero, who is battling for a roster spot.

Montero knocked an RBI single in the Yankees 7-3 win over Philadelphia yesterday in Clearwater, Florida.