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Nova set for spring game, hopes to return soon

TAMPA, Fla. -- Assuming all goes well in his short outing on the back fields on Wednesday afternoon, Ivan Nova is going to have one question for the Yankees' front office.

"If I have a good game tomorrow, if I feel good, that will be the first question I'm going to ask: When am I coming off [the disabled list]?" Nova said Tuesday.

Nova is scheduled to pitch in an extended spring game Wednesday afternoon at the Yankees' Minor League complex, where he's working his way back from right triceps inflammation. Nova said Tuesday that he was feeling "great" and hopes to return to New York's rotation as soon as he's eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list.

Nova was placed on the DL after leaving his April 26 start early. He said his arm hurt the last two or three times he threw his curveball. But it could have been far worse, as the Yankees initially suspected Nova's elbow was ailing. In that regard, the diagnosis of inflammation in his triceps was a huge relief for the right-hander.

"I was really scared. I won't lie," Nova said. "I was scared. I've never had an injury like that."

Part of that initial fear, Nova said, was the idea that an elbow injury might sideline him for a whole year. Instead, he could be back in a few weeks. He hopes to have an answer for certain not too long after he's done pitching Wednesday.

"We'll have to wait and see how things go tomorrow," Nova said.

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry.
Read More: New York Yankees, Ivan Nova, Francisco Cervelli