TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees left-hander Eric Milton took another step in his comeback from elbow surgery by throwing 35 pitches today in his first simulated game.

Milton, who had surgery in June 2007, went 0-4 with a 5.17 ERA in six starts with Cincinnati last season. The 32-year-old Milton could be ready to pitch in a minor league game in the next few weeks.

The Yankees signed Milton to a minor league contract on July 11, returning the pitcher to the organization that originally picked him 20th overall in the 1996 draft. He was traded to Minnesota two years later in the deal that sent Chuck Knoblauch to the Yankees.

Also, right-hander Victor Zambrano threw 46 pitches in his second simulated game, and Shelly Duncan batted. Duncan, a first baseman-outfielder, separated his shoulder while making a diving catch for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on July 1.

Free agent left-hander Joey Eischen worked out, throwing 37 pitches.

Andrew Brackman, who had an appendectomy on June 10, is scheduled to throw off the mound Thursday. He was taken by the Yankees in the first round of the 2007 draft.