Just another reason why getting an expensive starting pitcher to fill out the rotation may be a mistake.....It sounds like the 5th starter will make maybe 5 starts....just stick Phelps, Wayne or Tejera in there.

 

That would be all fine and good if we could be guaranteed that none of our other starting pitchers would start the season without a problem. As I've said before starting the season with four SP is iffy, we're a blister or bone spur or a sore tendon away from having a three man rotation.

 

Better to bring in a fifth guy you can dangle for tradebait later on if all goes well with AJ and everyone else is/stays healthy than to start the season one guy short praying no one gets hurt. I don't really think many pitchers that are left out there (Read: that are cheap) will do any better than the Tejera's of the world. I've already named three to fill the one spot, and if someone else DOES get injured, we plug another one of those guys in there. We had Beckett, Burnett and Redman all injured at the same time last year I believe, and we didn't panic. That's why we bring so many players into camp....in case of injury.

we need a lefty reliever 1st of all and then I say if Burnett can't start the season on the rotation then go with somebody we already have.

Most likely phelps.

I hope this stops all the talk of Burnett moving to the bullpen.

Better to bring in a fifth guy you can dangle for tradebait later on if all goes well with AJ and everyone else is/stays healthy than to start the season one guy short praying no one gets hurt.

holding on to Rick Helling might have provided some insurance there....

 

oh well

I think it would be better if he just started in the bullpen for a few weeks. that way he can get MLB action and take a nice steady comeback at the same time. throw an inning here and there. then 2 or 3 here, and slowly take it to the starting rotation a few weeks after the season starts.

I hope this stops all the talk of Burnett moving to the bullpen.

Hopefully

I hope this stops all the talk of Burnett moving to the bullpen.

none the less, a healthy AJ is a HUGE aquisition. Itll be like the Marlins signed an elite FA in the offseason

I think Burnett should have a deadline.

If he dosen't do good this season and struggles early next season then trade him at the deadline for another starting pitcher.

I like him but he isn't doing his job right now.

I think it would be better if he just started in the bullpen for a few weeks. that way he can get MLB action and take a nice steady comeback at the same time. throw an inning here and there. then 2 or 3 here, and slowly take it to the starting rotation a few weeks after the season starts.

If he's making rehab stints in the minor leagues it's to build up his stamina in real game situations. He'll be starting those games and going from 80-something pitches up. There's no need to reduce the amount of pitches he throws in half and alter his rhythm (every 5th day) when he comes up to the majors. Especially when as a contender we'll need AJ to be able to stretch out that extra inning later in the year.

I think it would be better if he just started in the bullpen for a few weeks. that way he can get MLB action and take a nice steady comeback at the same time. throw an inning here and there. then 2 or 3 here, and slowly take it to the starting rotation a few weeks after the season starts.

Thats what Spring Training is for.

No. It's true a lot of the starters work up to full strength llike that, but it's been another 10 months or so since A.J. actually threw a pitch. I would let him come back through the minors.

No. It's true a lot of the starters work up to full strength llike that, but it's been another 10 months or so since A.J. actually threw a pitch. I would let him come back through the minors.

A lot of starters do the same because they are coming back from the same surgery as Burnett, and haven't pitched in a year either.

Remember when we brought Josh Beckett up just a bit too early? He had blister problems all season and wasn't any help at all.

Beckett's blister problems were unrelated to any illproper rehabilitation of his past injuries.

He actually had them in his minor league career too, but the Marlins organization tried to keep it under wraps.

I mean only AJ can judge how good he feels. And he is an adult and is aware of how risky and idiotic it would be to make an early return if he really doesn't feel 100%.

 

But if AJ says he can go by then, I'll respect his decision because I hope that he's wise enough to know when it's too early/risky.

 

But I mean I do feel a little cautious because then again, he is young and is probably eager to come back and the last thing that anyone needs is for him to reaggrevate his injury and maybe end his career.

He actually had them in his minor league career too, but the Marlins organization tried to keep it under wraps.

I'm saying that blisters are freak problems. Rushing Beckett back in the past had no affect.

 

But we're getting off topic. I know where you're coming from. You want to be cautious with Burnett. However let's not base his progress on a pitcher with a totally different injury. The general rule of thumb for this specific surgery is 12 months of recovery. A May return, or later, is what is suggested. However if the Burnett, Dr. Andrews and the Marlins feel confident that he's one of the few special cases then let him pitch.