Kuroda's MRI clean, but Nova to start Friday

MINNEAPOLIS -- Right-hander Hiroki Kuroda flew back to New York on Tuesday to have an MRI performed on his left hip flexor; tests came back clean.

According to manager Joe Girardi, Kuroda felt some soreness after his outing on Sunday, but the procedure showed no tears.

"That's the best news that we could have gotten," Girardi said. "He felt better today. He actually wanted to come back here."

Girardi said the team will re-evaluate Kuroda on Friday after returning to New York. Even with the clean results, though, Kuroda will no longer start on Friday; right-hander Ivan Nova will get the nod in his stead.

Nova has started five games this season and made three relief appearances, for a total of 35 innings. He has a 2-2 record and 4.63 ERA.

If Kuroda checks out on Friday and has a solid bullpen session, the team will try to get him back in the rotation. Kuroda is 7-6 on the season, with a 2.95 ERA and 75 strikeouts.

"If we can slot him in somewhere, we'll slot him in," Girardi said.