DETROIT — Andy Pettitte won’t know for sure until he takes the mound Saturday against the Twins if the discomfort he has experienced on the outside of the left elbow has been deleted.

Yet based on a bullpen session Wednesday, the veteran lefty believes the hinge is OK.

“I feel good,’’ Pettitte said following a workout that will be followed by a shorter version thursday.

Pettitte never felt discomfort in between starts but in his past two outings the feeling surfaced early. After five innings and 77 pitches on May 5, Pettitte was lifted and an MRI exam revealed inflammation. Against his wishes, Pettitte was skipped a start.

And if expected rain is heavy enough to wash out Thursday’s game, Pettitte (4-0) will have to wait another day to return.

As for the elbow, Pettitte said he is convinced there wasn’t anything seriously wrong.

“It wasn’t under the elbow, the ligament or flexor tendon,’’ Pettitte said. “It’s on the outside and not a whole lot you can do there.’’