Bombers bits

• Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes is scheduled to throw 45 to 50 pitches in a Minor League game on Thursday at the club's Himes Avenue complex. The Yankees have not yet decided if Hughes, who is coming back from a bulging disk, will be in the first turn through the rotation to begin the season.

"As I told him, worst-case scenario is maybe you miss one start," manager Joe Girardi said.

• Travis Hafner was spotted wearing an ice pack on his right wrist during Thursday's game, but the Yankees designated hitter said it was just for routine maintenance and that he does it "a couple times a week."

Hafner was scratched from Friday's road trip to play against the Twins in Fort Myers, but Girardi said the move was made so Hafner could get more at-bats playing in a Minor League game in Tampa.