Nunez not quite ready to return

DENVER -- Shortstop Eduardo Nunez (left rib-cage tightness) is unlikely to be ready to play Thursday. He did some light throwing and went through some motions as if taking ground balls Wednesday and said he felt better but still "a little tight."

Manager Joe Girardi said, "He went out and tried to do some stuff, and it's still not quite where it needs to be."

Nunez did not attempt to swing a bat Wednesday. Girardi said Nunez must be pain free and then do drills in the indoor batting cage -- hitting off a tee and hitting soft tosses from a coach -- without discomfort before trying to test his rib cage by swinging all-out.