Ivan Nova threw three scoreless and hitless innings in Monday’s 4-2 win over the Nationals, in which 31 of his 36 pitches were strikes.
“I have goals but I’m not going to tell you,’’ said Nova, who is assured of the No. 4 spot in the rotation barring a complete collapse. “They are personal goals and team goals.’’
One of them is being more consistent. Last year he was sent to Triple-A after pitching poorly.
“I don’t want to go back and forth,’’ said the right-hander, who was 9-6 with a 3.10 ERA in 23 games (20 starts). “I want to be a pitcher the team can trust every five days. I don’t want to go back down. Consistency is one of my goals.’’
“I love what I see right now,’’ manager Joe Girardi said of Nova. “Everything was good [Monday].’’
David Robertson’s first spring appearance consisted of one inning, which opened with him hitting Danny Espinosa.
“It was OK, I got three outs and didn’t walk anybody,’’ Mariano Rivera’s replacement said.
Andy Pettitte surfaced in Yankees camp Monday and guaranteed he won’t come out of retirement as he did in 2012 after visiting the team during spring training.
“There is nothing in the works,’’ Pettitte said before throwing batting practice.
Pettitte said he wasn’t shocked Derek Jeter announced this would be his final season.
“It was a surprise, but I guess not too big of a surprise,” Pettitte said. “We talked about it last year. I kind of had a feeling because I saw a little bit of a difference in him. We had our run. I don’t know if that’s how he felt but that’s how me and Mo [Rivera] felt.’’
Having had to make the change when he lost miles off the fastball, Pettitte is convinced CC Sabathia can win without the mid-90s fastball he used to have.
“CC has everything it takes to be successful,’’ Pettitte said. “When your velocity isn’t there, you have to rely on movement and command. You have to change speeds and rely on command and he can do all those things. Mentally, talking to him, I think he knows exactly what he needs to do. Now it’s time to go out there and pitch.’’
Alfonso Soriano , who has yet to play in a game due to a severe flu, worked out but didn’t play. The outfielder/DH is on schedule to play Thursday against the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla.