Korean Team Releases 11-Year MLB Vet

He was a staple in the New York Yankees rotation for several years last decade, but his time in the big leagues came to an end during the 2020 season. Now, Ivan Nova has been dropped by the KBO's SSG Landers. 

Nova, now 35, was rocked in Korea this year after signing a $900,000 contract with the Landers this past offseason. He posted a 3-4 record with a 6.50 ERA in 12 starts. He'd struggled through some elbow and hip injuries, which may have led to that performance in some part. 

Whether he will try to catch on again in the majors is unknown, but doubtful. His last full season was 2019, when, with the Chicago White Sox, he surrendered a whopping 225 hits in 187 innings, for a 4.72 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. In four starts with the Detroit Tigers in 2020, things got even worse, as he posted an 8.53 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP in just four starts. 

Nova's best year in the big leagues was actually his first, as a rookie with the Yankees in 2011, when he went 16-4 with a 3.70 ERA, and finished 4th in Rookie of the Year balloting. He was really only able to recapture that magic a couple of times in the ensuing years. 

Photo Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports