Several injured Yanks working on returning

NEW YORK -- Outfielder Zoilo Almonte, designated hitter Travis Hafner and infielder Kevin Youkilis are all still trying to work their way back from injuries before the regular season ends.

Almonte (ankle) will play seven innings in a rehab game with Double-A Trenton on Thursday, Hafner (shoulder) has played in one simulated game -- though he's quite ready to play in a second -- and Youkilis (back) has begun to take dry swings.

Almonte was batting .261 with one home run and nine RBIs over 26 games with the Yankees. Hafner hit .205 with 12 homers and 37 RBIs, and Youkilis was at a .219 clip with two home runs and eight RBIs.

"Youk is probably the least probable of the three," manager Joe Girardi said, "and I think Almonte is probably the furthest ahead."

Girardi also said David Phelps, who is working his way back from an elbow strain, will throw a bullpen sometime this week and could be an option in the Yankees' bullpen before the end of the season.

Michael Pineda, who recently began throwing again after being shut down for a month with discomfort in his shoulder, is still just throwing bullpen sessions and likely won't be an option for the Yankees this year.