Yankees right-hander Ivan Nova took a big step in his comeback from Tommy John elbow surgery Monday, making his first minor-league rehab start.
Nova threw 4.2 innings at Single-A, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out three and walking zero. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that scouts in attendance were impressed with Nova, who topped out at 95 miles per hour about 13 months removed from surgery.
Nova made just four starts last season before being shut down, but the Yankees retained him via arbitration for $3.3 million this year hoping he can rejoin the rotation for the second half. He has a 4.20 ERA in 538 career innings through age 27.