BRADENTON, Fla. -- When pitching coach Ray Searage called Ivan Nova into manager Clint Hurdle's office on Wednesday morning, Nova's first thought was closer to fear than excitement.
"Usually when one of the coaching staff takes you to the office, it means good news or you're in trouble," Nova said. "I was like, OK, I'm in trouble."
It turned out to be good news. Hurdle, Searage and GM Neal Huntington informed Nova that he would be the Pirates' Opening Day starter on March 29 in Detroit.