Bombers bits

• Shortstop Eduardo Nunez said that he would throw on Sunday, testing his bruised right wrist, and expected to be available to play defense if needed. Nunez said that the swelling and pain in the wrist has diminished and that he hopes to be back in the lineup on Tuesday, against the D-backs.

• Kevin Youkilis went hitless on Saturday after hitting in the first nine games of the season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Youkilis became the first Yankee in his debut season with the club to hit safely in his first nine games since shortstop Joe Buzas had hits in the first 10 games of the 1945 season.

• Second baseman Robinson Cano entered play on Sunday batting .579 with six runs, four doubles, three homers, eight RBIs and a walk in his last four games.

• On this date in 1955, Elston Howard became the first African-American player in Yankees history, making his Major League debut in an 8-4 loss at Boston. Howard laced an RBI single to center field in his first Major League at-bat, driving home Mickey Mantle.