When manager Clint Hurdle first met Ivan Nova, he was struck by Nova’s size. The 6-foot-5, 235-pounder looked large on film, but film didn’t do him justice.
“Anybody can look big,” Hurdle said. “You put your arms on a guy and you can feel the shoulder muscle around his neck, you feel his arms.”
Nova also impressed Hurdle with the late life on his fastball, the movement on his breaking ball and the knowledge he freely shared with the rest of the staff. Seven seasons with the New York Yankees, seven seasons in a hitters’ ballpark against good lineups, had put him through the wars of the AL East, and he had some insights as a result.
It showed in his time with the Pirates, which ended after 5⅓ innings of one-run ball Thursday in a rain-shortened game against the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. Because the game meant nothing for either team, it ended in a 1-1 tie, the Pirates’ first since Aug. 24, 1998, and the first in Major League Baseball since 2005.
Nova, 29, hits free agency after the season. Stephen Strasburg’s extension with the Washington Nationals removed the elite starter from the group of free agents this winter. No sure things remain. In addition to Nova, Brett Anderson, Andrew Cashner, Jeremy Hellickson and Rich Hill make up the known commodities.
Nova’s agent understands this. That’s why, when the Pirates initially made an extension offer (of an unknown amount) in early September, Nova’s representatives countered by saying they were thinking of a deal in the range of five years and $70 million. The Pirates made another offer, also of unknown amount.
“Hopefully, things work out and I can come back here,” Nova said. “I hope that’s the case.”
In 11 starts since the Pirates acquired Nova from the Yankees for two minor leaguers, he posted a 3.06 ERA in 64⅔ innings, with 52 strikeouts and only three walks.
“I think the time that I’ve had here was really, really, really good,” Nova said. “I really appreciate the Pirates organization for giving me the opportunity to be around those guys, the coaching staff and the teammates.”
If it seems like the Pirates have been here before, it’s because they have. In 11 starts after the Pirates traded for J.A. Happ last season, the left-hander had a 1.85 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 63⅓ innings.
He turned that into three years and $36 million from the Toronto Blue Jays; the Pirates, after failing to sign him, did not adequately upgrade their rotation, a major reason they regressed this year.
The Pirates’ next three games will mean much more to their opponent than the one Thursday did to the Cubs.
They begin a three-game series against the Cardinals tonight in St. Louis.
Before the games Thursday, the Cardinals trailed the San Francisco Giants, who held the second wild-card spot, by a game.
The New York Mets led the Giants by 1½ games.
The Pirates finish with a 38-42-1 home record after winning at least 50 games at home in each of the previous three seasons.
Marte done for season
Left fielder Starling Marte will need a period of “active recovery and active rest” this offseason after missing most of September due to back tightness and spasms, head athletic trainer Todd Tomczyk said.
“That means not playing baseball, not swinging a bat, getting into some kind of mobility, flexibility program, albeit yoga, Pilates, whatever fits that specific player and program,” Tomczyk said.
Hurdle said Marte has been shut down for the season.
No surgery for Schugel
The rotator cuff inflammation in A.J. Schugel’s right shoulder will not need surgery, Tomczyk said.
Schugel received a second opinion on his shoulder from Dr. David Altchek, an orthopedic surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and the medical director for the New York Mets.
“The treatment plan is rest and rehab and pick the baseball up in early December or January,” Tomczyk said.
Mercer hurting, too
Jordy Mercer (forearm strain) might not play against the Cardinals. “You saw a couple throws he made across the diamond tonight,” Hurdle said. “That’s basically all he’s got.”
Bill Brink: bbrink@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrinkPG.
First Published: September 30, 2016, 1:49 a.m.
