Astros’ Backe leaves with sprained elbow

Astros right-hander Brandon Backe will travel home to Houston to have his injured right elbow examined by team doctors instead of going with the team to Arizona.

Backe left the Astros’ 5-3 loss Thursday to the San Francisco Giants after only two innings because of a sprained right elbow. The severity of the injury wasn’t immediately known, but the Astros didn’t want to take any chances.

•Jody Gerut was placed on the minor league restricted list by the Pittsburgh Pirates after the outfielder decided to have right knee surgery the team doesn’t think is necessary.