Burnett targeting early June return

 

MIAMI (AP) - Florida right-hander A.J. Burnett threw batting practice Wednesday for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery and said he hopes to rejoin the rotation in early June.

 

"I'm close," he said. "It was fun. It was a big step."

 

Burnett threw 25 pitches, all fastballs, to Marlins teammates. He said he plans to throw batting practice again Saturday and Wednesday, and then he hopes to begin a rehabilitation assignment.

 

Burnett pitched off the Pro Player Stadium mound for the first time since April 2003, shortly before he went on the disabled list with a sore elbow that required reconstructive surgery. He was 0-2 in four starts last season.

 

His return would bolster a rotation that is already the strength of the World Series champions.

 

"It's something nice to look forward to," manager Jack McKeon said.

 

Burnett threw a no-hitter at San Diego in 2001, and his five shutouts in 2002 led the major leagues.

Great news

Probably the biggest acquisition this season will be getting AJ back. The biggest for ANY team in the majors.

I hope his first game back is at home so we can go see him. Lets hope he does good when he returns.

more on A.J....

 

Palm Beach Post article

 

"I'm very close. I think early June is a realistic goal to be back,'' he said.

 

But his initial role is up for debate. The Marlins are leaving open the possibility that he will start with an inning or two in the bullpen once he returns from minor-league rehab starts.

 

"I'm not coming out of the bullpen,'' Burnett said. "I'm a starter. My mentality is a starter."

 

As the front office looks into acquiring relief help from outside the organization, manager Jack McKeon is hoping the pitching staff can get by until Burnett and right-handed reliever Chad Fox (inflamed right elbow) return.

 

"How we use (Burnett) when he gets here, as a starter or in the bullpen, I don't know yet. I just want to have him back,'' McKeon said.

 

Burnett threw 25 pitches, mostly fastballs. He will throw curveballs Saturday.

 

"I think he can come back before (June),'' said utility player Lenny Harris, who faced Burnett along with Mike Mordecai and Abraham Nunez.

 

"He had good movement on his fastball. I faced him before the injury and I think he looked better today to be honest with you. He was impressive for a guy who's been out for a year.''

 

"His fastball was game ready," said Harris, who estimated some of the pitches Burnett threw him reached 97 mph. "I think he can come back before that.

 

"I don't see anybody throwing as hard as he is now, especially with movement."

more on A.J....

 

Palm Beach Post article

 

"I'm very close. I think early June is a realistic goal to be back,'' he said.

 

But his initial role is up for debate. The Marlins are leaving open the possibility that he will start with an inning or two in the bullpen once he returns from minor-league rehab starts.

 

"I'm not coming out of the bullpen,'' Burnett said. "I'm a starter. My mentality is a starter."

 

As the front office looks into acquiring relief help from outside the organization, manager Jack McKeon is hoping the pitching staff can get by until Burnett and right-handed reliever Chad Fox (inflamed right elbow) return.

 

"How we use (Burnett) when he gets here, as a starter or in the bullpen, I don't know yet. I just want to have him back,'' McKeon said.

 

Burnett threw 25 pitches, mostly fastballs. He will throw curveballs Saturday.

 

"I think he can come back before (June),'' said utility player Lenny Harris, who faced Burnett along with Mike Mordecai and Abraham Nunez.

 

"He had good movement on his fastball. I faced him before the injury and I think he looked better today to be honest with you. He was impressive for a guy who's been out for a year.''

 

"His fastball was game ready," said Harris, who estimated some of the pitches Burnett threw him reached 97 mph. "I think he can come back before that.

 

"I don't see anybody throwing as hard as he is now, especially with movement."

hmm, why be a starter from day one?

 

He is burning inside to come out and have a huge year, but he needs to listen and be in agreement with Jack. I think he will come out of the pen for a while.

Burnett is encouraged by pitching session

 

BY KEVIN BAXTER

 

kbaxter@herald.com

 

 

After pitching a short batting practice session Wednesday, A.J. Burnett said he's hopeful he can return to the Marlins rotation in early June.

 

''I'm getting ready. I'm close,'' said Burnett, who underwent season-ending elbow surgery last April. ``This was a big step today.''

 

Pitching off the Pro Player Stadium mound for the first time in 13 months, Burnett threw about 25 pitches, mostly fastballs, to Mike Mordecai, Lenny Harris and Abraham Nu?ez in the five-minute session.Harris, who faced Burnett when he played for the Milwaukee Brewers two years ago, said the pitcher he saw Wednesday was better than the one who led the majors in shutouts in 2002.

 

''His fastball was livelier,'' Harris said. ``It was game ready. I haven't [had] one better than that all year.''

 

Burnett said that if he experiences no pain today, he will throw batting practice again Saturday at Pro Player Stadium and Wednesday in Houston. After that, he hopes to begin a rehab assignment.

 

Marlins manager Jack McKeon was also pleased with Burnett's effort. And though he was more cautious as to when the right-hander might rejoin the team, he didn't rule out a June return.

 

''He's going to have to pitch to some live hitters. It's a little different than just throwing to guys in batting practice,'' McKeon said. ``I'd just like to have him back. If we can hold our own [until then], we'll be all right.''

 

 

*goosebumps....

Any news on when he might start his rehab assignment in the minors?

Any news on when he might start his rehab assignment in the minors?

FSN last night said that he does another BP session on Saturday, and then around the 15th(?) he's doing minor leage rehabs...probably 2

"His fastball was game ready," said Harris, who estimated some of the pitches Burnett threw him reached 97 mph. "I think he can come back before that.

 

"I don't see anybody throwing as hard as he is now, especially with movement."

That makes me smile... :shifty

*goosebumps....

Word.

WOO WOO...good news. Stil do not want to rush it at all so let him get a few rehab assignments. Make sure he is 100% and then lets take the best pitching rotation in the league and take off with the division

"I'm not coming out of the bullpen,'' Burnett said. "I'm a starter. My mentality is a starter."

 

"How we use (Burnett) when he gets here, as a starter or in the bullpen, I don't know yet. I just want to have him back,'' McKeon said.

You have to love AJs go get 'em attitude. Let's hope he doesn't get a chip on his shoulder if Jack starts him out in relief.

If getting AJ back two weeks later means starter instead of pen, we shall wait the extra two weeks. He is going to have rehab STARTS in the minors, he'll be in starting condition.

 

JRS the night he returns (at least for those that were around when he was originally pitching) will be rocking.

let me be the first to say this

 

 

*wipes drool*

 

*dies*

I hope his first game back is at home so we can go see him. Lets hope he does good when he returns.

Well his scheduled return is June 15 and we are at home that night vs the White Sox, so that would be a great return.

This is the best news we've had all year probablly.

 

Can't wait to see AJ back on the hill.

If he's conditioned to be a starter... And his workout scheme is as a starter... And he is rehabbing as a starter... he should come back as a starter.

As always great news to hear about AJ throwing a successful batting practice. Im looking forward to the next one where he tests his arm with curveballs.

 

AJ is progressing well and should return earlier than expected. We need AJ back because we dont want oliver on the mound no more but i know we cant rush things with Burnett.