by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (6/14/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett suffered a Grade 1 calf tear and has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Burnett is in a walking boot and has been unable to put weight on his leg as a result. Burnett said he hopes "it's not a six-week thing," but there is no clear timetable for his return. It's likely he will miss a month, if not more, with the injury.
A.J. Burnett placed on 15-day disabled list
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (6/13/2013) The Pirates announced Thursday that starting pitcher A.J. Burnett has been placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 9, with a right calf strain. He had already been scratched from his scheduled start Saturday.
Burnett is 4-6 with a 3.12 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and an NL-leading 99 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings.
A.J. Burnett scratched Saturday
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (6/13/2013) Pirates starter A.J. Burnett has been scratched from his start Saturday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Burnett is dealing with right calf pain, and is unable to make the start against the Dodgers. The club has not named a replacement starter yet, and there's no word on the severity of Burnett's injury.
On the season, Burnett has a 3.12 ERA and a 3.32 FIP in 89 1/3 innings.
A.J. Burnett cruises through win over Cubs
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (6/8/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett was in peak form for much of Saturday's game against the Cubs, and the one mistake he made late did not prove costly, in a 6-2 win.
Burnett tossed eight scoreless innings to open the game, then allowed two runs in the ninth inning on a single and a two-run home run by Alfonso Soriano. He limited the Cubs to just the two runs on four hits and three walks, in his longest outing of the season.
Burnett struck out five batters while throwing 77 of 112 pitches for strikes. He pushed his record to 4-6 on the season, while lowering his ERA to 3.12. He is scheduled to make his next start Thursday against the Giants.
Pirates reveal rotation plans
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (6/4/2013) The Pirates announced Tuesday the re-shuffling of their weekend rotation plans. A.J. Burnett will start Saturday in Chicago and Jeff Locke will start Sunday, with Jeanmar Gomez's trip to the disabled list opening a hole in the rotation.
The Pirates are expected to go with a four-man rotation for at least one turn, thanks to a string of off-days coming up.
A.J. Burnett could move up in rotation
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (6/4/2013) Thanks to off days coming up, the Pirates may not need to pick a rotation for Jeanmar Gomez immediately.
Manager Clint Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Monday the team might opt to move A.J. Burnett up a day in the rotation to pitch Saturday against the Cubs, rather than Sunday. Burnett would actually prefer that, according to Hurdle.
"There's also been times when he's been open to the extra day," Hurdle said. "So, we'll have a conversation with him (Tuesday). Everything's hypothetical right now."
If not Burnett, another option might be Charlie Morton, who is nearly done in his rehabilitation from elbow surgery.
A.J. Burnett suffers through worst start of season
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (6/3/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett held the opposition to three earned runs or less in each of his first 12 starts but couldn't continue the streak Monday. He gave up six earned runs on eight hits and three walks against the Braves while striking out five in five innings.
Burnett's six runs matched his total over his previous three starts (20 innings). He'll try to bounce back against the Cubs Sunday. He gave up three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings against the Cubs on opening day.
A.J. Burnett takes no-decision with quality start
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/29/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett breezed through four innings against the Tigers Thursday before giving up three runs in the fifth and ending the game with a quality start. Burnett allowed just three earned runs on five hits and four walks in six innings while striking out four.
It was the third time in five games that Burnett walked four batters in a start, but he has yet to give up more than three earned runs in any game this season. He takes a 3-5 record and 2.72 ERA into Monday's start against the Braves.
A.J. Burnett stays solid in losing effort
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/24/2013) Pirates starter A.J. Burnett was solid but suffered his fifth loss Friday night against the Brewers.
Burnett (3-5) surrendered a two-run double to Alex Gonzalez in the second inning for his only damage. The right-hander was charged with two runs and three hits over seven innings. He struck out six and walked two in a 2-1 loss.
Burnett has allowed three runs over his last two starts (14 innings). He is scheduled to start at home Wednesday against the Tigers.
Owning Francisco Liriano a priority now
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/24/2013) After his first two starts, the Pirates' Francisco Liriano was an intriguing pickup in Fantasy, but he hadn't done anything impressive enough to win over owners in standard mixed leagues. Clearly, after shutting down the Cubs over seven innings Wednesday, that's not the case anymore.
It seems like an eternity ago, but in 2010, Liriano was back on the upswing in Fantasy, with 201 strikeouts in a 14-win season for the Twins. Since then, injuries and his usual control problems have derailed him. But at age 29, his stuff is still exceptional. Who's to say he can't recapture his prior form?
Obviously, control will be the key, but after three starts in which it hasn't come back to bite him, he's worth the benefit of the doubt over a struggling Dan Haren or middling Jeremy Guthrie. Maybe the move to the NL will do for him what it did for A.J. Burnett.
A.J. Burnett Ks seven in no-decision
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/18/2013) Pirates starter A.J. Burnett struck out seven but did not factor into the decision in a 4-2 loss Saturday night against the Astros.
Burnett surrendered a run-scoring infield single to Jose Altuve in the fift and allowed the one run on five hits over seven innings. He struck out seven and walked four on 100 pitches, 63 for strikes.
Burnett has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his starts. He will try to get his first win since May 3 when he starts Friday at Milwaukee. He allowed four runs -- three earned -- over seven innings in his last meeting with the Brewers May 13.
A.J. Burnett Ks six but takes loss
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/13/2013) Pirates starter A.J. Burnett took his fourth loss in Monday's series opener against the Brewers. He allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over seven innings of work in a 5-1 defeat.
Burnett gave up a run in the first for the only damage over his first four frames. He got tagged with a two-spot in the fifth before an error led to his final damage in the seventh.
The right-hander also struck out six with no walks. He threw 74 of his 104 pitches for strikes.
Burnett is scheduled to make his next start on Saturday against the Astros. In four starts against Houston last season, he went 2-0 with a 3.49 ERA.
A.J. Burnett facing great matchups
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) If you didn't already think he was a must-start pitcher thanks to his league-leading 66 strikeouts and miniscule 2.57 ERA, Fantasy owners should definitely have Pirates starter A.J. Burnett active in all formats for Fantasy Week 7 (May 13-19).
Burnett is set to take the mound twice during the week, Monday against the Brewers and Saturday versus Houston. Milwaukee ranks 13th in the league in runs scored per game this season, but Burnett should be able to hold his own against the Brewers, as he held them to a 3.66 ERA last season in three starts. His second start is where Burnett could post eye-popping numbers, as he should be able to overpower the Astros. The Astros have been by far the league's most strikeout-prone offense, as they strikeout 10.1 times per game on average.
For one of the league's elite strikeout artists, that matchup is a dream. Fantasy owners should expect big things this week.
A.J. Burnett takes loss in low-scoring game
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett allowed just two runs on two hits and four walks in seven innings Wednesday against the Mariners, but he ended up as the tough-lock loser being outdueled by Felix Hernandez in a 2-1 loss. Burnett (3-3) struck out nine and allowed a home run to Jesus Montero that broke a 1-all tie in the seventh.
"You know it's going to be a close ballgame," Burnett said. "You try to throw up zeroes just like he did. You know he's going to go out there and compete as much as I like to compete. It was fun."
Burnett has managed at least eight strikeouts in six starts and hasn't had less than six strikeouts in any of his eight starts. Burnett also hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in five straight outings, going 3-1 in that span.
The veteran right-hander will be back on the hill Monday against the Brewers. Burnett was 0-2 with a 3.66 ERA in three starts against Milwaukee in 2012. He managed 20 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings.
A.J. Burnett still racking up Ks
by Joe Polito | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) This season only Yu Darvish has struck out more batters than 36-year-old Pittsburgh hurler A.J. Burnett. With 57 total strikeouts on the year, Burnett has showed no sign of slowing down, averaging more than 12 Ks per nine innings. Our Nando Di Fino was quick to credit Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage during Tuesday’s live broadcast of Fantasy Baseball Today.
Burnett has earned wins in three of his last four outings, totaling 30 strikeouts. He will look to continue his whiff-causing ways against Seattle and Milwaukee in the coming weeks.
A.J. Burnett gets over .500
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/3/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett turned in another solid outing Friday night against the Nationals. Burnett, who made his seventh start, allowed just one run on five hits over seven innings in the 3-1 win.
The lone run he surrendered came in the fourth inning on a RBI single off the bat of Danny Espinosa.
However, he was able to retire eight of the final nine batters he faced and was pulled after throwing 96 pitches. Burnett finished with nine strikeouts and one walk, while improving to 3-2 with a 2.57 ERA.
The right-hander has now earned a win in three of his last four starts after starting the year 0-2. He will face the Mariners at home Wednesday. Burnett has posted a 2.46 ERA and racked up 35 strikeouts compared to just five walks in his four starts at PNC Park.
A.J. Burnett masters Cardinals again
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (4/27/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett picked up his second win Saturday against the Cardinals. Burnett, who was made his sixth start, allowed two runs on five hits over six innings in a 5-2 win, including an RBI single off the bat of Pete Kozma.
The only other run he surrendered came in the first inning as Matt Carpenter was able to score when Matt Holliday grounded into a double play.
He was pulled after throwing 111 pitches -- 67 for strikes -- and finished with a season-low six strikeouts and three walks, while improving to 2-2 with a 2.83 ERA. Both of his wins have come against the Cardinals.
Burnett, who has now allowed four earned runs over his last three starts (18 innings), is slated to face the Nationals at home next Friday. The right-hander is 1-1 with a 2.89 ERA and 26 strikeouts in his three starts at PNC Park.
A.J. Burnett adds to strikeout total
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/22/2013) Pirates starter A.J. Burnett endured his shortest outing in Monday's series opener against the Phillies. He allowed two runs on five hits over five innings of work.
The right-hander uncorked a wild pitch with two men on in the third for his first damage before he hit Jimmy Rollins with the bases loaded in the fourth. He was done after throwing 101 pitches, 59 for strikes, and left with the game tied at 2-2.
Burnett also struck out seven and walked three in a no-decision. He has 42 strikeouts in 29 innings pitched.
His next start is scheduled for Saturday against the Cardinals. Burnett threw seven innings of one-hit ball against St. Louis on April 17.
A.J. Burnett loses no-no but earns win
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/17/2013) Pirates starter A.J. Burnett had a dominant performance in Wednesday's series finale against the Cardinals.
The 36-year-old recorded the 2,000th strikeout of his career when he whiffed Carlos Beltran in the second inning and took a perfect game into the sixth. Burnett hit Daniel Descalso with one out in that frame but maintained the no-hitter into the seventh.
That all came to an end when Beltran exacted his revenge against the right-hander, hitting a two-out double.
Burnett allowed just one hit over his seven scoreless innings and struck out eight. He also did not walk a batter in a 5-0 win and lowered his ERA to 2.63.
His next start is scheduled for Monday against the Phillies. In his lone start against Philadelphia last season, Burnett allowed three runs over 6 2/3 innings in the win.
A.J. Burnett solid in quality start
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/12/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett squeezed out a quality start in Friday's matchup against the Reds, allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks in six innings while striking out eight and throwing 106 pitches in a no-decision.
Burnett spread the damage out, allowing one run in the second, fourth and sixth innings. Despite a 3.71 ERA and 27:8 K:BB ratio in 17 innings, Burnett remains winless in 2013. He's slated to face the Cardinals at home Wednesday.
A.J. Burnett posts nine strikeouts in loss
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett allowed just one earned run in 5 1/3 innings of work Saturday but was still stuck with the loss after his team failed to score. Burnett struck out nine batters while surrendering four hits and four walks and throwing 108 pitches in the game.
Now 0-2, Burnett will look for his first win of the season when he faces the Reds at home in his next start.
A.J. Burnett was overlooked all right
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/2/2013) That's what I'm talking about, people. Yeah, it's one game, but 10 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings should go a long way toward convincing everyone that A.J. Burnett's 180 strikeouts last year were legit.
And if your drafts went about like mine did, you got them for next to nothing.
For whatever reason, everybody passed on the Pirates right-hander on Draft Day, making him as valuable of a late-rounder as you'll find in mixed leagues. Even if he was destined regress somewhat in terms of ERA and WHIP this year -- which is no guarantee -- the strikeouts alone made him worth the price tag.
This isn't a sell-high situation. This is an already-bought-him-low situation. And it feels good to us Burnett owners. Maybe after a couple more double-digit strikeout games, we can talk about selling high.
A.J. Burnett strikes out ten
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/1/2013) Pirates starter A.J. Burnett picked things up where he left off last season against the Cubs.
Burnett gave up three runs over 5 2/3 innings, but managed to strike out 10 hitters. Burnett allowed a first inning home run to Anthony Rizzo, but recovered up until the sixth inning. He was replaced by Justin Wilson after he allowed his third run of the game.
A.J. Burnett an overlooked Fantasy option
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/28/2013) You'd think a pitcher who recorded 180 strikeouts last year would be relatively high on all the rank lists, and certainly Al Melchior, Nando Di Fino and I give A.J. Burnett his due credit.
But thinking it is one thing -- putting it into practice is quite another, and it seems to be something we all have a difficult time doing.
I just got him in the 20th round of a Head-to-Head league, where strikeout pitchers normally have inflated value. I also recently got him in the 16th round of a Head-to-Head points league, where pitchers in general have inflated value. I'm not particularly high on him, but when Trevor Bauer and Andrew Cashner, who don't even have jobs, start going off the board, the value gets to be too great to ignore.
I get that Burnett is prone to inconsistency, but he seemed to be in his element with the Pirates last season. And with him talking retirement, I'm thinking he'll want to go out on top.
A.J. Burnett mulling retirement?
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/27/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett said after his final spring start Wednesday he's mulling whether or not to retire after the 2013 season, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. He said if he decides to keep playing, then he might only consider playing for the Pirates.
"I enjoy it here and I enjoy these guys," Burnett said. “If I was to keep playing, I wouldn't want it to be anywhere else but Pittsburgh. My wife and I talk about it now and then. But it's something I've got to put on the back burner. I'm just going to concentrate on this season, one start at a time.”
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/27/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett, who will start Monday's season opener against the Cubs, took the hill for the final time this spring Wednesday against the Twins. Burnett allowed two runs on four hits in three innings. He struck out two. Burnett finished the spring 0-2 with a 7.36 ERA in four starts. He struck out eight and walked four in 11 innings.
Kyle Lohse stays where he is in rankings
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/25/2013) I have Kyle Lohse ranked 64th among starting pitchers, between Tim Hudson and A.J. Burnett. In Head-to-Head formats, I have him slightly higher. But news of him signing with the Brewers doesn't move him on my list, as he was ranked with the assumption that he'd be pitching somewhere in April.
Lohse isn't one of the pitchers you ever hear a fellow drafter say they really like. He falls to you, he'll put up a decent season, and you'll be content at the end of the year. He doesn't strike a lot of players out, but he also isn't a total flash in the pan -- he was showing signs of taking a step forward in 2008 before injury and a rare dance with compartment syndrome sidetracked his 2009 and 2010 seasons. Lohse was stellar the last two seasons, and will pitch for a solid Brewers team in 2013.
I wouldn't go too far out of my way to get him, but Lohse is a dependable, possibly-stellar option for the later stages of your pitching staff.
Burnett still cold in spring
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/9/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett was tagged for two runs and two hits in 4 2/3 innings during Pittsburgh's 5-4 loss to Minnesota in Grapefruit League play Saturday. Burnett has allowed at least one run in each of his three starts this spring for a lackluster 7.88 ERA. The veteran right-hander, who missed all of spring training last year after having surgery to repair a fractured orbital bone, recorded three strikeouts and two walks. "It's just good to get out there every five days because it is a process," Burnett said. "We've been sitting for four months. This was obviously a lot sharper than my last two, and I expect the next one to be a lot sharper. Each time you get out there you're going to be more comfortable."
Burnett shelled again
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (3/4/2013) Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett had a difficult first Grapefruit League outing last week, and matters didn't improve when he took the mound Monday for his second start. Burnett lasted only 1 1/3 innings against the Phillies, allowing four earned runs on four hits and two walks. He did get two strikeouts in the game, but his ERA ballooned to 13.50. Burnett is now 0-2 on the exhibition season.
Burnett roughed up in debut
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (2/27/2013) Right-hander A.J. Burnett, who the Pirates have already named their opening day starter, didn't live up to the billing in his spring debut against the Rays. He allowed four runs, one earned, on three hits in two innings, issuing no walks and recording one strikeout. Burnett did not use his best pitch, the curveball. Instead, he threw mostly fastballs away and changeups. "He's working on things, so he's not worried about results," catcher Michael McKenry said. "He's trying to get his rhythm and timing. We were throwing every hitter pretty much the same. We're trying to get his pitch count up."
Burnett gets nod for opener
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/20/2013) Pirates manager Clint Hurdle named A.J. Burnett as the opening day starter, April 1, vs. Chicago Cubs. Hurdle also announced Wandy Rodriguez will pitch the second game of the season, April 3.
Burnett embraces veteran role
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/16/2013) A year ago, Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett found himself in a role he never envisioned after coming over in a trade from the Yankees: team leader. But the 36-year-old flourished in the position and posted a 16-10 record -- buoyed by wins in nine straight starts -- for the second-highest win total of his career. Burnett also regained his control -- his 2.9 walks per nine innings were the second-lowest of his career -- while putting together the finest season by a Pittsburgh starter in 21 years. "I never considered myself as that guy (until) I came here last year," he said Saturday. "But that was the impression I got before I even got here and I didn't have a choice in it and I accepted it and ran with it."
