MILWAUKEE (AP) - Houston Astros pitcher Andy Pettitte was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a strained left elbow.

Pettitte, signed to a three-year, $31.5-million free-agent contract in December after spending nine years with the New York Yankees, injured the elbow while trying to check his swing in his first start on Tuesday against San Francisco.

An MRI on Thursday revealed inflammation in the elbow and a strain in his flexor tendon.