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TAMPA, Fla. For the first time this spring, Yankees right-hander Ivan Nova displayed command of all four of his pitches.

Facing the Toronto Blue Jays in a Triple-A game today, Nova allowed three runs on seven hits in 7 innings, with all of the runs coming in his last two innings.

Today was the first time I saw all four pitches working, said Russell Martin, who caught Nova.

Martin said the only mistake of the day came on a home run he described as a wind-aided fly ball. But Nova commanded his fastball, curveball, slider and changeup.

Manager Joe Girardi said he pitched Nova in a minor-league game to avoid giving the Baltimore Orioles a look at the righty so soon before the start of the season. Nova is battling for a spot in the rotation.

Reliever Rafael Soriano also got his work in at the minor-league complex, pitching an inning in a Double-A game against the Blue Jays.

Right-hander Michael Pineda scheduled start Friday night against the Philadelphia Phillies could prove critical as the Yankees sort out their starting rotation.

I want to see how sharp he is and to get some distance from him, Girardi said of Pineda, whose fastball as consistently been a few ticks below his average of 94 mph last season.

Andy Pettitte will likely throw a simulated game this weekend, though the Yankees are still unsure of when hell be ready to rejoin the rotation. Girardi estimated a return date for sometime in May, though he wouldnt get specific.

Girardi said Pettittes timeline going forward will largely be dictated by how his body responds after making actual starts. But its unclear when Pettitte will be ready to pitch in games.

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Yankees' Ivan Nova takes control as he vies for rotation spot