May 31, 200521 yr Miami Herald A.J. Burnett has made so many visits to the Alabama office of Dr. James Andrews during the past two years that he has lost count of the number. But he's hoping the one he made last week turns out to be the last. ''Hopefully, I won't see him anymore,'' said Burnett, who heads back to the mound tonight for the Marlins after missing his last scheduled start due to right elbow inflammation. It was Andrews who did the reconstructive ligament surgery on Burnett's right elbow two years ago, and who did not find any structural damage when Burnett was there last week to make sure nothing serious was wrong with the elbow. ''I think it benefited me a lot,'' Burnett said of his time off, which allowed the inflammation to subside. Burnett said Andrews joked with him during his recent visit, telling the pitcher that ``you're throwing too hard for too long.'' ''He said `You're putting pressure on your elbow by throwing too hard. You need to pitch a little bit,''' Burnett said of their conversation. But Burnett said he has no intention of easing up on a fastball that clocks in the high 90s. 'I said `Sorry Doc, I thought that was a good thing,' '' Burnett said. ``I said if that's the case [throwing fewer fastballs], make an appointment for June. I'll be back in here next week.'' Burnett, who has lost his past three decisions, is 3-4 but has a relative low 3.19 ERA. I found the bolded part funny... and very scary.
May 31, 200521 yr I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the DL soon. I really hope not though. Even though Dr Andrews was joking there probably was a half-truth to it.
May 31, 200521 yr ...and very likely why we'll be able to get him for $7 mil a season. I'd give Benson money to AJ, and I think a lot of teams will be scared off by his injury history and stubbornness.
May 31, 200521 yr I am really worried about AJ now... Hopefully he will be okay. If AJ cant get his curve over for a strike then its going to be one long game for AJ tonight Stay Safe AJ!
May 31, 200521 yr This is the portion I found most illuminating - ''I think it benefited me a lot,'' Burnett said of his time off, which allowed the inflammation to subside. Burnett said Andrews joked with him during his recent visit, telling the pitcher that ``you're throwing too hard for too long.'' ''He said `You're putting pressure on your elbow by throwing too hard. You need to pitch a little bit,''' Burnett said of their conversation. But Burnett said he has no intention of easing up on a fastball that clocks in the high 90s. Dr. Andrews :thumbup
May 31, 200521 yr Hopefully it doesnt come to this but what would happen if AJ does go on the DL soon?... Who would take his place? Ishy wont be back for awhile.
May 31, 200521 yr Author ''He said `You're putting pressure on your elbow by throwing too hard. You need to pitch a little bit,''' Burnett said of their conversation. Dr. Andrews :thumbup 789974[/snapback] Yeah, I liked that one too. He should be the pitching coach
May 31, 200521 yr This is the portion I found most illuminating - ''I think it benefited me a lot,'' Burnett said of his time off, which allowed the inflammation to subside. Burnett said Andrews joked with him during his recent visit, telling the pitcher that ``you're throwing too hard for too long.'' ''He said `You're putting pressure on your elbow by throwing too hard. You need to pitch a little bit,''' Burnett said of their conversation. But Burnett said he has no intention of easing up on a fastball that clocks in the high 90s. Dr. Andrews :thumbup 789974[/snapback] Yeah and Wiley also suggested Burnett to be more of a pitcher than a thrower but Burnett said he tried it last season when he came back and didnt work, so he is going back to trying and blow people by. Thats not the way to go....
May 31, 200521 yr A.J. is not going to get his big payday if he keeps pulling this cr*p. But then again, he better not screw up our season for it either...
May 31, 200521 yr All the more reason to trade prospects/fillintheblank to acquire more starting pitcher options.
May 31, 200521 yr Ain't that the truth! That 2005 rotation with 3 rookies; or 1 rookies, Ismael Valdez and a Jason Johnson type doesn't look too great.
May 31, 200521 yr ''He said `You're putting pressure on your elbow by throwing too hard. You need to pitch a little bit,''' Burnett said of their conversation. Dr. Andrews? :thumbup 789974[/snapback] Yeah, I liked that one too. He should be the pitching coach 789980[/snapback] HA!!
May 31, 200521 yr Marlins won't invest any type of money long term to Burnett with his subborn attitude -- he's essentially saying he doesn't care if he injures himself, he just likes throwing gas. Like someone said earlier, unless he eases up and takes it easy on his arm, it won't be long until he's back on the DL. What he doesn't seem to realize is every trip he makes to Dr. Andrews is probably a year and a few million he takes off his next contract.
May 31, 200521 yr Ain't that the truth! That 2005 rotation with 3 rookies; or 1 rookies, Ismael Valdez and a Jason Johnson type doesn't look too great. 790094[/snapback] They'll replace him like they did with Leiter/Pavano....hopefully they make a better investment though.
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