He strained his back, had right elbow tendinitis and played his last game on June 30.

Since missing two months with elbow tendinitis, Pettitte (5-4) has proved that he can be a power pitcher again.

Karstens, a 24-year-old right-hander who went 2-1 late last season, is recovering from right elbow tendinitis.

"It was nice to finally get out of the fourth inning," said Pettitte, who had elbow tendinitis.

He continued hitting well after the break, but after a month, began suffering the effects of elbow tendinitis.

Andy Pettitte is 30 and missed two months with elbow tendinitis this season.

(They do not expect his elbow tendinitis to affect him beyond this season.)

There was no recurrence of the elbow tendinitis that put him on the disabled list in the spring.

As it turned out, he had elbow tendinitis which rendered him unable to pitch the entire season at any level.

Only time will tell whether Irabu's stuff, diminished by elbow tendinitis, is good enough to beat a major league team.