Andy Pettitte still doing well

Andy Pettitte threw what he called a “light” side session Thursday and might throw a simulated game this week, keeping an appearance in the Yankees’ final exhibition game next Wednesday a possibility.

“I feel good about it,” Girardi said of what he’s seen two weeks into Pettitte’s comeback. “When I watched his BP the other day, I thought he located his pitches well. I’ve been happy with what I’ve seen.”

Girardi said the target for Pettitte’s return to the rotation remains May. “I expect it’s going to be sometime in May, I can’t tell you exactly when,” Girardi said.

Nick Swisher (right groin) again played in a minor- league game and could be back in the lineup Friday night against the Phillies . . . Mariano Rivera pitched the sixth, allowing a hit and no runs. He has allowed two hits and no runs in seven innings . . . Raul Ibañez, who started 2-for-37, homered for the second time this week and had an RBI single.