The Tigers have added a workhorse to their pitching staff.
The team signed veteran Ivan Nova to a one-year deal on Monday. Nova's contract is reportedly worth $1.5 million, plus incentives.
The #Tigers have agreed to terms with RHP Iván Nova.Welcome to Detroit! pic.twitter.com/Fwcw8rMMmL
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) January 13, 2020The Tigers dealt with various injuries to their pitching staff last season. Nova should help them avoid that in 2020. He led the majors with 34 starts in 2019 and is tied for 11th with 94 starts over the last three years.
His results, meanwhile, have been fairly average. Nova posted a 4.72 ERA last season with the White Sox, while allowing the most hits in baseball. He had a 4.16 ERA over two seasons with the Pirates before that. He's an innings eater who pitches to contact.
Nova, 33, spent the first seven years of his career with the Yankees. He took the loss against the Tigers in Game 5 of the 2011 ALDS.
"I've had the opportunity to play for some historic organizations during my professional career, and joining the Tigers adds to that list in a big way," Nova said in a statement released by the team. "This is a very exciting day for me, and I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates and coaches and working with them to bring winning baseball to the great fans here in Detroit."
Nova will join a rotation that right now includes Matthew Boyd, Jordan Zimmermann, Spencer Turnbull and Daniel Norris. Michael Fulmer is expected to return from Tommy John surgery in the second half of the season.
