'No need to rush' Burnett

 

By KEVIN BAXTER

 

kbaxter@herald.com

 

 

A.J. Burnett said Saturday he's ready to return to the Marlins' rotation this week, but manager Jack McKeon was more cautious, saying a decision on when Burnett will make his first start of the season hasn't been made.

 

''I have no idea what we're going to do,'' McKeon said. ``There's no urgency, really. We're set with our rotation. He was a guy we could slot anytime we wanted to slot him in. The way these guys have [pitched], there's no need to rush.''

 

McKeon's comments came before he had spoken with Burnett, who made a rehabilitation start Friday night in Memphis and arrived at Pro Player Stadium less than an hour before Saturday's game. But Burnett left little doubt as to how he feels.

 

''I'm in Wednesday. Five days from [Friday],'' said Burnett, who underwent reconstructive elbow surgery 13 months ago. ``I'm ready. And I believe they think I'm ready, too. My pitch count's high. I'm not having any soreness.

 

``It ain't up to me, but I'm ready to rock and roll.''

 

Friday's outing was the rockiest of three minor-league starts for Burnett, who gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings for Triple A Albuquerque (N.M.). He also hit a batter and gave up a home run.

 

Although he struck out seven, giving him 17 strikeouts in 11 2/3 rehab innings, Burnett said he struggled with his control. But he threw 92 pitches, and having such a pitch count was his main goal going in.

 

''I got my work in, and I recovered fine,'' said Burnett, who had been targeting a Wednesday return against the Cincinnati Reds. ``Health-wise, I made another step. I can throw 95 pitches and not be sore. So that's a good sign.''

 

If Burnett does return Wednesday, Dontrelle Willis' next start would be pushed back a day to Thursday at New York, where he would face a Mets team he has beaten four times in four starts.

 

But McKeon said he hasn't ruled out more minor-league work for Burnett.

 

''We want him right,'' McKeon said. ``If it takes another time to get him right, if it's necessary another time, he'd probably be OK.

 

``We want to hear what the people say that saw him [Friday] night. We want to hear what he has to say. And then we're going to make the determination, not him.''

 

CORDERO ON CRUTCHES

 

First baseman/outfielder Wil Cordero, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday, hobbled into the clubhouse on crutches Saturday. He said he'll begin working in a few days, then will stop to have an arthroscopy on his right knee.

 

Cordero, who has had pain in both knees for more than a year, is expected back around the All-Star break.

 

SHORT HOPS

 

Right fielder Miguel Cabrera didn't start Saturday, opting to rest a minor groin injury. He's expected to start today. In his absence, Lenny Harris started in right field, batting in the cleanup spot for the first time in five years. . . . With 103 wins with the Marlins entering Saturday, McKeon is the 16th manager since 1901 to win at least 100 with four or more clubs. McKeon won 291 with the Reds, 215 with the Royals and 193 with the Padres.

Love McKeon the more I see him. This is very sensible. The Marlins are 2 games in first and 9 games over .500. We dont need to rush AJ back, he is right. And we shouldnt. I have been saying this all along - in fact, I dont want to see AJ come back until after the ASB. But that is just me, and a lot of the fans here would try and hang me for that. I just think we dont rush AJ and give him a lot of time to ease him back.

I would rather see AJ wait until he is ready instead of pitching poorly at this level, wehre it counts.

Where does this "rushing" come from? Isn't the recovery time 12-14 months or something like that? Burnett is over 12 months and seems to be progressing fast.

Where does this "rushing" come from? Isn't the recovery time 12-14 months or something like that? Burnett is over 12 months and seems to be progressing fast.

Well rushing by if he can't get AAA players out, have fun against Ken Griffey JR, etc.

Well he did strikeout 7 hitters in 3 1/3 innings in Triple A although he did not have his best command so he walked a few and gave up some runs.... I think his mind set was just to throw a lot of pitches he wasn't really trying his hardest to get these guys

I really don't see where a start in single A Jupiter is going to help AJ that much, other than keeping him on a schedule.

 

One big factor with starting him next Wednesday at home is all the media attention, and the possible distraction. Starting AJ on the 8th in Cleveland would avoid all the hoopla.

Where does this "rushing" come from? Isn't the recovery time 12-14 months or something like that? Burnett is over 12 months and seems to be progressing fast.

The average recovery time is 12-18 months... no need to rush...

Normally you'd think that starting him in Cleveland would be a good idea, because attention can get to a player's head. But this is AJ Burnett. Come on, have we all forgotten how awesome he is? He loves the ovations! He loves the crowds amped up. He'll probably pitch better if the crowd is behind him, and I guarantee you it won't be if we are playing in Cleveland. If he doesn't pitch Wednesday, don't start him in Cleveland. Wait for him to start at home. He deserves it. And we deserve it.

Normally you'd think that starting him in Cleveland would be a good idea, because attention can get to a player's head. But this is AJ Burnett. Come on, have we all forgotten how awesome he is? He loves the ovations! He loves the crowds amped up. He'll probably pitch better if the crowd is behind him, and I guarantee you it won't be if we are playing in Cleveland. If he doesn't pitch Wednesday, don't start him in Cleveland. Wait for him to start at home. He deserves it. And we deserve it.

That is most definitley true. It would be appropriate for AJ to make his comeback at home, and a guy like him would love him.

 

I know how much I miss AJ the player, but AJ the guy is very cool as well.

I'm glad they're letting him take his time. We're very lucky, in a position right now where starting pitching is one of our strengths, and we can afford to wait an extra couple of days for Burnett to get sharper perhaps.