Yankees’ Ivan Nova Learns Of Trade From MLB Network

Ivan Nova first received the news from New York Yankees bullpen catcher Roman Rodriguez as he was running out on the field, but he didn’t think it was true.

Yankees’ Ivan Nova Learns Of Trade From MLB Network

“I didn’t believe him,” he said, “until I saw my name on TV.”

Indeed, Nova– who has spent his entire professional career with the Yankees– learned on Monday that he would be traded to the Pirates from an MLB Network blurb. The trade deadline was on Monday afternoon.

“This is the moment — you hear the talks and everything — I knew at some point was going to come,” said Nova, 29, who was signed by the Yankees in 2004 and made his debut in 2010. “We forced the organization to do what it had to do today and in the last couple days. To go to another organization that’s in the race is exciting.”

The Dominican right-hander is 7-6 with a 4.90 ERA this year, joins his friends and compatriots Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco. He’ll also join former Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli. Up until recently, he thought he might have his old friend Francisco Liriano as a teammate as well, but Liriano was traded to the Blue Jays while Nova was being sent to the Pirates.

“I’m looking forward to meeting my new team and have fun over there,” he said before adding that he hadn’t actually heard from Brian Cashman or Joe Girardi yet. “I didn’t pick up my phone yet,” he said with a slight smile.

The Yankees called up pitcher Nick Goody and outfielder Ben Gamel to take the spot of Nova and Carlos Beltran on the roster. The changes, though, probably are temporary, Cashman said. “We need a starter for Wednesday” to replace Nova, he said, adding that Gamel and Goody were decisions made with the National League park in mind.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JULY 29: Ivan Nova #47 of the New York Yankees pitches during the second inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 29, 2016 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)