Nuno again playing waiting game

Vidal Nuno's travel plans for the baseball season will again be undecided on the final day of spring training.

The former Wild Things pitcher will learn today where he will open the 2014 season -- either in the major leagues with the New York Yankees or in Class AAA at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Nuno began spring training in competition for the fifth spot in the Yankees' starting rotation, only to see that go to high-priced Michael Pineda, who hasn't pitched in the major leagues since 2011, when he finished fifth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. Pineda was injured for all of 2012 and limited to 10 minor-league appearances last year.

During spring training last year, Nuno was sent to the minors in the final roster cuts. He was recalled early in the season and pitched in five games (three starts) to become the first former Wild Things player to appear in a major league game. Nuno had a 1-2 record and a fine 2.25 ERA before being optioned back to the minors, where he eventually suffered a groin injury that caused him him sit out the rest of the season.

Nuno was informed Tuesday that he was no longer in contention for the Yankees' No. 5 starter spot, though he could earn a roster spot as a relief pitcher. Later Tuesday, Nuno went out and hurt his cause by giving up back-to-back homers to Philadelphia's Ryan Howard and Marlon Byrd in a spring training game. However, Nuno made a final pitch for a roster spot Thursday by throwing a perfect sixth inning in the Yankees' 4-2 win over the Pirates. Of the three batters he faced, Nuno struck out two (both looking), including Tony Sanchez.