Tendinitis Is Diagnosis for Pettitte’s Arm

New York Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte was diagnosed Monday with tendinitis in his left elbow but a test didn’t detect any structural damage.

Pettitte, on the disabled list since April 21, threw 15 pitches in the bullpen Sunday in Seattle and still felt pain, then went to Birmingham, Ala., to see Dr. James Andrews, who conducted an MRI exam.

Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman said the 29-year-old left-hander will rest a few days, then continue his rehabilitation program. If the pain disappears, Pettitte could be sent to the minor leagues for a rehabilitation assignment in about two weeks.

“When you send someone to Dr. James Andrews, out of all the possible diagnoses, this would be the one you would want,” Cashman said. “There’s a whole bunch of stuff you wouldn’t want.”

Pettitte was limited by elbow soreness to two spring training starts and was 1-1 with a 3.09 earned-run average in three starts this season before going on the disabled list.

Ted Lilly, who made two starts in place of Pettitte, pitched a one-hitter Saturday night, a 1-0 loss to the Mariners. Sterling Hitchcock, who has been on the disabled list since spring training with a sore back and groin, could be activated this week.

Yankee third baseman Robin Ventura, who had a sore jaw and bruised neck after colliding Sunday with Seattle shortstop Carlos Guillen, had X-rays and a CT scan Monday in New York, and both were negative. His status is day-to-day.

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Outfielder Wil Cordero was placed on waivers, for the purpose of his unconditional release, by the Cleveland Indians, who will have to pay the rest of his $4-million salary.

Cordero was designated for assignment last week, giving the team 10 days to trade him, put him on waivers or send him outright to the minor leagues.

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