Bombers bits

• Left-hander Andy Pettitte (strained left trapezius) will play catch on Thursday in Tampa, Fla., and would then progress to long-tossing. Pettitte, who is on the disabled list retroactive to May 17, would need to throw a bullpen session and a simulated game before returning.

• Mark Teixeira (right wrist) and Kevin Youkilis (sprained lumbar) each had six at-bats in simulated action on Wednesday in Tampa, and according to manager Joe Girardi, Youkilis is getting closer to increasing his action.

• In additional injury updates, Eduardo Nunez (strained left oblique) took batting practice on Wednesday, and right-hander Ivan Nova (right triceps) threw a light side session. Michael Pineda (right rotator cuff) could pitch in another extended spring game on Thursday.

• On this date in 1963, Mickey Mantle hit a walk-off home run in the 11th inning off the A's Bill Fischer that struck the frieze in the upper deck of right field at Yankee Stadium. The drive is believed to be the closest a fair ball ever came to leaving the old Stadium, and several eyewitnesses claimed the ball was still rising when it struck the frieze.