Ivan Nova wants to win his 10th game of the season when he takes the mound Thursday night against the Rays, but he already has more ambitious goals for next year.
“I want to come here ready to make 30-32 starts in the majors,” Nova said Wednesday before the Yankees faced the Rays at the Stadium. “I want to pitch 200 innings. I’ve got to be able to stay healthy and not give them any reasons to do anything with me.”
That wasn’t the case in 2013, since the right-hander had difficulty taking the mound every five days, as well as forcing the Yankees to keep him in the rotation.
“I think being able to win 10 games after what I’ve gone through this year would be good for me,” Nova said. “I’ve spent time on the disabled list and in the minors and in the bullpen.”
Nova said he would like to avoid all of those situations next season and the Yankees figure to need him even more next season with all of the questions surrounding the staff.
“I’ll be ready,” Nova said. “I have my confidence back. I just have to repeat what I’ve done recently. I just want to end on a good note.”
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Andy Pettitte was honored by the Yankees before Wednesday’s game with a video tribute and a base signed by his teammates in front of the smattering of fans at The Stadium.
Manager Joe Girardi said “there’s probably a good chance” Mariano Rivera would appear in Thursday’s game.
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Travis Hafner was finally activated from the 60-day DL before the game after being out since July 28 with a right rotator cuff strain. He was hitless in his final 19 at-bats before being put on the disabled list.
“I knew it’d take a while having been through it before,” said the injury-prone Hafner, who also missed time this season with a foot injury. “My shoulder got really weak and it took awhile to get strength back. … It feels pretty good now. I’m happy to be back and finish out the year with the team.”
Hafner said he isn’t sure what his future holds.
“I haven’t thought too much about it at this point,” Hafner said. “Probably just wait to the offseason and just kind of see how things are and make the decision from there.”
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Eduardo Nunez hit leadoff and was back at third base, and he responded with a homer and a double against David Price.
“He’s swung the bat as well anyone in the month of September,” Girardi said. “I’ll continue to play him. He’s been playing well.”
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Boone Logan was able to strike out the only batter he faced Tuesday, but said his elbow doesn’t feel any better than the previous time he pitched on Sept. 6.
Additional reporting by Brian Lewis