TAMPA, Fla. - New York Yankees starter Carl Pavano could throw batting practice Friday for the first time since he bruised his left buttocks last month.
He hasn't faced hitters since pitching one inning in a minor league spring training game on March 30. He didn't make his exhibition season debut until March 28 because of a back injury.
Pavano threw 58 pitches Wednesday during his second bullpen session in three days. The Yankees think Pavano could rejoin the rotation before the end of May.
Reliever Octavio Dotel is scheduled to pitch an inning Friday in his second extended spring training game since ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow last June. Ramiro Mendoza, building arm strength following right shoulder surgery last year, will follow Dotel.
Aaron Small is slated to make his third extended spring training start Saturday and should rejoin the Yankees late this month or in early May.