TGP Daily Poll: Ivan Nova Returns in June Too

Ivan Nova is throwing in simulated games, bullpen sessions and extended spring training games and got up to 75 pitches in his last outing between the pen and the game. Nova will return from Tommy John surgery in the month of June.

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Ivan Nova & Chris Capuano Injury Updates

The New York Yankees have a pair of starting pitchers that are working their way back from various injuries in Ivan Nova who had Tommy John surgery and Chris Capuano who is battling a right quad  injury. Both are expected back sometime soon with Capuano possibly coming back in May and Nova finally coming all the way back sometime in June, if not sooner.

Nova threw a simulated game and has been facing live hitters for a few weeks now and seems to be ready to pitch in an extended spring training game as soon as this weekend. Nova threw against minor league hitters Monday and threw 15 pitches in an inning of work, 12 of those pitches were recorded as strikes. 

Capuano has been out since spring training when he strained his right quadriceps muscle but has already made his appearance in extended spring training. Capuano faced some minor league players from the Philadelphia Phillies and threw four shutout innings allowing one hit and striking out seven batters. This was Capuano's second extended spring game  and may be a little more than two weeks away at this point. 

Carlos Beltran Could Return Thursday

What perfect timing for the Yankees and Carlos Beltran and the worst possible timing for Kendrys Morales. The New York Yankees announced that Carlos Beltran would spend the next three days down in Tampa getting at bats in extended spring training games. Beltran will play on Monday and Tuesday and get evaluated Wednesday before a possible return Thurdsay with the Yankees.

In extended spring training the rules are a little more relaxed, for example Beltran could lead off every inning if he wanted to guaranteeing him at least eight at bats a game for the next two days. If Beltran gets through Monday and Tuesday he could possibly go on a minor league rehab assignment on Wednesday before coming back to New York on Thursday. The Yankees travel to Kansas City on Friday so he could always meet them there as well.

Minor League Assignments

Before Girardi beats us to it, should we just start calling him "Jaggy" now?

With the fact that we got nearly 3 inches of snow in mid-Ohio last night (thankfully very little of it stuck) it's hard to believe that not only is Tuesday opening day for Major League Baseball, but the minor leagues start on Thursday. 

With that said, thanks to Josh Norris and Nicholas Flammia, we have information regarding some of the rosters for the Yankees minor league affiliates. Of course, these are unofficial, as the team has yet to announce these things, but here's what we got so far...

Triple-A Scranton: OF Zoilo Almonte, RHP Danny Burawa, OF Ramon Flores, IF Corban Joseph, C John Ryan Murphy, and C Austin Romine. RHP Al Aceves, RHP Bruce Billings, RHP Brian Gordon, RHP Shane Greene, and RHP Chris Leroux will be in the starting rotation, although the order is unknown. RHP Chase Whitley is a possibility for the rotation as well.

Double-A Trenton: RHP Bryan Mitchell, 2B Rob Refsnyder, C Gary Sanchez, and OF Mason Williams. 

High-A Tampa: LHP Manny Banuelos, OF Jake Cave, SS Cito Culver, RHP Rafael DePaula, 2B Angelo Gumbs, 3B Eric Jagielo, and C Peter O’Brien. 3B Dante Bichette Jr. looks to be part of this team too.

Low-A Charleston: 3B Miguel Andujar, SS Abi Avelino, RHP Rookie Davis, OF Aaron Judge, RHP Brady Lail, RHP Luis Severino, C Luis Torrens, and SS Tyler Wade. It's being reported that RHP Jordan Cote will also be there.

Extended Spring Training: RHP Domingo Acevedo, RHP Manolo Reyes, RHP Simon De La Rosa, LHP Ian Clarkin, OF Alex Palma, and OF Leonardo Molina. OF Tyler Austin (wrist), OF Slade Heathcott (knee), 1B Greg Bird (back), and RHP Jose Campos (being cautious) will be here as they are being slowed down to start the year.

After a down year in the minors in 2013, I'm really hoping 2014 is a good one. I'm not much of a prospect humper like some people around here, but I can't wait to see what guys like Eric Jagielo, John Ryan Murphy, Gary Sanchez, Mason Williams, Manny Banuelos, Aaron Judge, Jose Campos, Ian Clarkin, Slade Heathcott, and Tyler Austin will do. Chances are, the Yankees will need to do something about their middle infield, and having these young guys step up would really help (directly or in a trade).