Hiroki Kuroda was sent back to New York yesterday to undergo evaluation on his hip, according to Mark Feinsand of the Daily News. The 38-year-old veteran experienced some discomfort while warming up prior to his start on Sunday, but was able to pitch through it. Although an MRI came back clean, Kuroda will not start on Friday against the Orioles – Ivan Nova will start in his place. Kuroda has been diagnosed with having soreness in the hip flexor.
Kuroda is 7-6 with a 2.95 ERA, and would have more wins if not for some poor run support. The Yankees can ill-afford any more injuries to key players as they try to tread water before the all-star break, so being careful with Kuroda is the right choice. Nova will try to make a good impression after pitching well in his last start – his first appearance since being recalled from the minors.
Against the Rays on June 23, Nova went 6.2 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out seven. In a relief appearance on June 29, Nova gave up two runs on on six hits over 5.2 innings. The Yankees begin a three-game series with the Orioles in the Bronx on Friday.
Girardi said Kuroda had a sore left hip flexor. MRI came back clean but Nova will start Friday.
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) July 3, 2013
