TAMPA, Fla. (AP) _ New York Yankees right-hander Ivan Nova has pitched in his first game since elbow ligament replacement surgery a year ago.

The right-hander allowed an infield hit and struck out one in 1 1-3 innings Saturday in an extended spring training game. He threw 18 pitches and appears on target to be back in June.

“First time out, more than I was expecting,” Nova said. “Everything was good. I’m happy.”

Nova, 40-22 in parts of five major league seasons, is scheduled to throw two innings Thursday at extended spring.