MILWAUKEE -- Wandy Rodriguez, not Dave Borkowski, will start for the Houston Astros on Saturday against the Brewers at Miller Park.

Rodriguez was recalled when right-hander Brandon Backe was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right ulnar collateral ligament sprain, seemingly having suffered a relapse of his previous elbow sprain that kept him out of action for three months earlier in the season.

Backe, 28, was solid in his start Friday against the Brewers, allowing two runs over 6 1/3 innings while taking a no-decision. But his elbow was bothering him after that game, as well as his previous start on Aug. 13 against the Padres.

Following Friday's game, Backe informed the team athletic trainers that his elbow did not feel right. He met with manager Phil Garner, general manager Tim Purpura, pitching coach Jim Hickey and the trainers for close to an hour regarding the proper course of action.

"We sat down for good, long time and talked about what's best for him and his career and best for the club," Purpura said. "With his history of ligament issues, we'd rather be safe than sorry and shut him down now. He can still compete, obviously, as he did last night. But the game before he was pretty well taxed. He didn't have his usual abilty to throw [his] fastball and breaking ball."

Backe will not throw for at least a week. Purpura hopes that the extra rest will allow for Backe to rejoin the team this season, stressing that Backe's recent setback is not an indication that surgery is next.

"We need him to help us in September and October," Purpura said. "He's a a valuable big-game pitcher."

Rodriguez, 27, will start today's game in place of right-hander Roy Oswalt, who suffered a bruised right hand in his last start on Aug. 14 vs. the Chicago Cubs. Rodriguez made five starts for Round Rock, posting a 2-2 record with a 6.92 ERA with 13 walks and 13 strikeouts.

He started the season in the Astros rotation and was 9-6 with a 5.22 ERA in 21 appearances (19 starts) prior to being optioned to Triple A on July 21.

Borkowski was assumed to be Oswalt's replacement, but he will instead remain in the bullpen as the Astros' long reliever.