New York Yankees: Will Vidal Nuno continue to start?

Apr 20, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Vidal Nuno (57) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees have had their fair share of pitching issues this year, but they are hoping that young Vidal Nuno can come into the rotation and give the roster the spark they need to continue competing in their tough schedule within the AL East.

Ivan Nova has to have Tommy John surgery, and his spot in the five-man rotation is, apparently, up for grabs. Nuno had the chance to make a big impact and show the Yankees what he could do on Saturday afternoon against the Los Angeles Angels, but the start he had in mind didn’t exactly happen.

Nuno wasn’t able to pitch deep into the game, as Joe Girardi took the starter out after just 4.1 innings. He allowed five hits and three earned runs, throwing 72 pitches. The line wouldn’t seem too bad if he didn’t have an ugly outing against the Baltimore Orioles on his stat line this year. In that game, the 26-year-old Nuno allowed eight hits in 3.1 innings, surrendering a total of seven runs against a lineup that isn’t looked upon as elite.

For the Yankees, a tough situation presents itself. They can stick with Nuno, but it’s certainly a risk. He doesn’t have an elite fastball, and in the AL East, there has to be concern that he’ll get rocked if he doesn’t have superb command.

Personally, I don’t see a player that can consistently hold a spot in the New York rotation when I look at Nuno. The Yankees might be desperate, but other options have to be explored. It’s safe to say that Nuno is anything but a sure thing.