Nova brought a no-hitter into the 4th inning Monday night when Justin Morneau doubled, followed by a single by Delmon Young and another double from the veteran Jim Thome. The twins scored again in the 5th to bring the game within a run, but the Yankees held on with a 4-3 win.

Nova’s final line for the night was 6 IP/ 6 H / 3 ER / 1 BB / 3K

The 24-year-old Domican won the 4th spot in the Yankees rotation with a solid Spring training, while battling it out with Freddy Garcia (who won the 5th spot) and Bartolo Colon (bullpen). 

Nova is an excellent pitcher to take a gamble on and is almost guaranteed to be on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues, only currently being owned at 7.5% in ESPN and 16% in Yahoo! leagues.

With a repertoire of four pitches (the 2-seamer his bread and butter), Nova should more than often be able to outlast his opponents, giving the heavy hitting Yankees enough time to score the needed runs for a win.

At the back end of the rotation, a 11+ win season is very much achievable for Nova in 2011. 

So goodbye, Javier Vazquez. Yankee fans do not miss you one bit. Hellloooo Ivan Nova!

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