"Pirates left-hander Zach Duke will not make his next scheduled start due to what the team is calling a "mild muscle strain" in his elbow.

"It's just precautionary," manager John Russell said Saturday. "With a day off (Monday), we can push him back and it will not affect any of our other starters."

Duke (3-8, 5.49 ERA) had been slated to pitch Tuesday in Texas against the Rangers. He will test his elbow Wednesday by throwing a bullpen session. If all goes well, Duke will start Saturday in Oakland.

"I had this same thing in 2007 and tried to pitch through it," Duke said. "I ended up missing 2 1/2 months. This time, I'm going to be careful."

Duke said he did not have either an MRI exam or X-rays.

Duke noticed the injury in the fourth inning of his last outing Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox. He pitched 52/3 innings and allowed five runs and eight hits, including three runs in the fourth inning."