Ivan Nova will need to throw a simulated game or make a rehab start before coming off the disabled list, director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday.
The Pirates placed Nova on the 10-day DL Monday, retroactive to Friday, because of a sprained ring finger on his right hand.
“There was an identifiable orthopedic ailment, injury, that was hindering his ability to throw the ball effectively,” Tomczyk said. “ … His velocity was there, but he wasn’t able to control his pitches and that’s very important, especially for a pitcher like Ivan. In the coming days, as we prepare him to come off the disabled list, there will be various checkboxes that he needs to make: if he’s comfortable throwing all his pitches effectively, if he’s controlling it with conviction, if you must.