Further promising signs for the health of Ian Snell and Phil Dumatrait came yesterday, as each pitcher was told he could begin throwing within the next two days.

Each displayed palpable relief, too, after tests Monday cleared them of significant injuries, Snell to his elbow, Dumatrait to his shoulder.

"It took them about 45 minutes to tell me, and I was freaking out sitting in DeMeo's office," Snell said of team physician, Dr. Patrick DeMeo. "Brad Henderson, our head trainer, came in and told me I was fine. But I still wanted to hear it from the doctor."

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Minor-league report

Tuesday's games

INDIANAPOLIS (38-41) lost to Buffalo, 3-1. RHP John Van Benschoten (7-2, 3.75) allowed three runs and eight hits in four innings. He struck out two. RHP Evan Meek (9.53) pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. CF Andrew McCutchen (.283) went 1 for 4. RF Steve Pearce (.263) went 0 for 3. 3B Neil Walker (.223) went 0 for 4.

ALTOONA (34-41) won at Binghamton, 6-4. LHP Corey Hamman (4-6, 3.15) pitched eight scoreless innings and allowed three hits. He struck out three. CF Chris Duffy (.286) hit his first home run and went 2 for 4. 2B Shelby Ford (.327) hit his first home run and went 2 for 5 with a double. 1B Jason Delaney (.296) went 3 for 5 with a double and four RBIs.

LYNCHBURG (31-45) was off.

HICKORY (33-43) won at Asheville, 7-1. RHP Brad Clapp (1-6, 3.96) allowed one unearned run and three hits in five innings. C Andrew Walker (.280) hit his fifth and sixth home runs and went 4 for 5 with three RBIs. 3B Bobby Spain (.312) hit his fifth home run and went 4 for 5 with two home runs.

STATE COLLEGE (2-5) lost to Williamsport, 7-3. LHP Rudy Owens (0-2, 5.14) allowed five runs, one earned, and four hits in three innings. DH Jordy Mercer (.250) hit his first home run and went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs.

BRADENTON (2-3) beat the Twins, 7-6. RHP Gabriel Alvarado (0-0, 0.00) allowed one unearned run and two hits in three innings. C Miguel Mendez (.563) hit his first and second home runs and went 2 for 5 with five RBIs.

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Snell remains tentatively on the schedule to pitch Friday, but that will not happen. He had lingering pain yesterday from the shot administered from the arthrogram and probably will not have a side session until tomorrow. Other symptoms also must be checked.

Dumatrait had a similar experience, as he -- and the Pirates -- had intense concern about damage to the rotator cuff until word that he had nothing more than inflammation.

"Huge relief," Dumatrait said. "Can't even describe it to you."

Dumatrait tentatively is set to have a light tossing session this afternoon, after which he gradually will work back toward a July 5 return from the disabled list.

Van Benschoten out?

It appears John Van Benschoten will not be the Pirates' choice to fill either opening in the rotation, Friday or Saturday. He pitched last night for Class AAA Indianapolis -- three runs, eight hits in just four innings -- and that means he would need to return on three days' rest to be available Saturday. Given that he was removed from his previous start to shoulder tightness, that will not happen.

That leaves Ty Taubenheim, Jason Davis and Class AA Altoona's Yoslan Herrera as the most likely to be promoted. Unless, of course, general manager Neal Huntington acquires someone from the outside, which increasingly seems a strong possibility.

Manager John Russell said a rotation decision could come in "the next couple days."

Nady, Doumit on mend

Right fielder Xavier Nady, out since June 14 because of a bruised left shoulder, is expected to play tonight after a successful full batting practice session yesterday.

Catcher Ryan Doumit was back in the lineup after missing five games to a concussion.

Broken bats addressed

Major League Baseball and its players union met for the first time yesterday to discuss the proliferation of broken bats, partly urged by Pirates hitting coach Don Long being struck in the face by a shattered maple bat April 15 in Los Angeles.

The Pirates were not represented in the meeting on either side.

Buried treasure

• John Challis, the Freedom High School baseball player battling cancer, will spend today with the Pirates. He will meet with the team in the afternoon, sit in on Russell's daily news conference, then watch batting practice and the game.

• The Pirates signed their 28th-round draft pick, outfielder Kyle Saukko, out of Sierra Junior College. They have signed 25 picks.

• When Bill Mazeroski made the ceremonial first pitch, with Russell filling his old role as catcher, all of the Pirates' players and coaches -- as well as those of the Yankees -- stood atop their dugouts and applauded.

• The media contingent was larger than usual, but the only difference between this New York group and that one that follows the Mets was seven Japanese journalists who cover Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui.

• Standing-room-only tickets remain for the final two games of the series.

• With Matsui unable to play defense because of a knee injury and Johnny Damon out because of a sore foot, New York recalled Justin Christian from Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and started him in left field.