Bombers bits

• Girardi said Monday that he plans to hold a conversation with center fielder Curtis Granderson, on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, about a potential return date, which could come as soon as Tuesday.

"I've always said -- when Grandy feels like he's ready, come on," Girardi said. "We want him back in our lineup. If he says he's ready to go, then he's ready to go. Whenever [the conversation] takes place, we're open arms."

• Girardi said Monday that Ivan Nova's injury is to his upper left back/shoulder area, but the Yankees aren't sure what the next step will be for the right-hander. The manager hinted that Nova could soon make a rehab start. Nova hasn't pitched in a big league game since April 26.

• The Yankees have won five games this season in which they scored three runs or fewer. Last season, New York won only 12 games under those circumstances.

• Southpaw Vidal Nuno is the first lefty other than CC Sabathia or Andy Pettitte to start for the Yankees since Kei Igawa in May 2008.