Burnett Closer to action

[farmer_fran]

02/28/2004? 1:32 PM ET

Notes: Burnett closer to action

Marlins finalizing deal with Guerrero, Vlad's cousin

By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com? Buy tickets?

 

?

A.J. Burnett throws hard, testing his right elbow in a pain-free bullpen session Saturday. (Robert F. Bukaty/AP)?

 

 

 

JUPITER, Fla. -- The A.J. Burnett of old is slowly emerging.

Burnett tossed his second pain-free bullpen session of Spring Training, and there is a probability he will see action sometime in a Grapefruit League game.

 

"That's a possibility, yeah, it's a definite possibility," Marlins manager Jack McKeon said.

 

Burnett, 27, is recovering from Tommy John surgery and his projected return date in the season is May 1.

 

"I felt good," said Burnett, who was the ace of the staff in 2002. "I threw pain-free, that's the main thing."

 

? ? A.J. Burnett? /? P?

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 205

Bats/Throws: R/R

 

More info:

Player page

Stats

Splits

Marlins site

 

 

 

For the first time since having surgery last April, Burnett threw curveballs off the mound. His bullpen session lasted about 15 minutes, and he threw fastballs, curves and changeups.

 

When healthy, Burnett possesses a fastball that has reached 100 mph.

 

Burnett's next bullpen will be Tuesday, and from there he is progressing toward throwing live batting practice. His recovery program includes throwing a simulated game in the upcoming weeks.

 

"We want him chomping at the bit to get back," Marlins pitching coach Wayne Rosenthal said. "But you don't want him back to stay back."

 

Guerrero a Marlin: The Marlins may not have signed All-Star Vladimir Guerrero, but they are completing a contract to acquire his cousin.

 

Paulino Guerrero, a 20-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic, is finalizing terms with the Marlins.

 

"I looked at him from 200 feet away and he looks just like Vladdy," said Fred Ferreira, the Marlins senior vice president and director of international operations. "I told him, 'Give me a portion of what Vladdy puts up and everything will work out.'"

 

When Ferreira worked with the Expos, he signed Vladimir Guerrero to Montreal.

 

Now with the Angels, Vladimir Guerrero told Ferreira about his younger cousin.

 

"He has a plus arm, and plus power," Ferreira said. "He's an average runner. He's an exciting player."

 

Paulino Guerrero is 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and he is completing his visa requirements and is expected to join the Marlins' minor league operations in Jupiter sometime during Spring Training.

 

He will likely start the season in the Gulf Coast League.

 

Agreeing to terms: The Marlins agreed to terms Saturday with pitchers Nate Bump, Tim Spooneybarger, first baseman Hee Seop Choi and infielder Wilson Valdez.

 

All four players are not yet arbitration eligible.

 

Bump has been impressive thus far in Spring Training and is a front-runner to win a middle relief job. And Choi is projected to be the full-time first baseman.

 

Valdez is battling for a backup infield spot, and Spooneybarger is recovering from Tommy John surgery. He isn't expected to pitch until August, at the earliest.

 

The Marlins have four remaining players to sign: Josh Beckett, Dontrelle Willis, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Neu.

 

 

Enter the Hotels.com

Think Spring Sweepstakes?

 

 

 

 

Father/son act: Like father, like son?

 

This spring, McKeon finds himself in a unique situation of managing two sons of his former players: Darren Oliver and minor league infielder Derek Wathan.

 

In the 1960s and early 1970s, when McKeon was in the Royals' system, he managed first baseman Bob Oliver and catcher/first baseman John Wathan. McKeon worked with them in Spring Training and when they were in the Omaha minor league affiliate.

 

"This means I'm getting old," said 33-year-old Darren Oliver.

 

Born in Kansas City in 1970, Darren Oliver grew up around the ballpark, and sometimes sat in the corner of the dugout during Royals games.

 

"It was a little more relaxed then than it is now," Oliver said. "I'd sit in the dugout, and I'd shag fly balls in the outfield [in pregame warm-ups]."

 

Oliver, a left-handed pitcher projected to be the fifth starter, is a journeyman who has played for the Rangers, Red Sox, Cardinals and Rockies.

 

In the mid-1990s, McKeon recalls making a scouting trip to Texas.

 

"I bumped into Bob Oliver," McKeon said. "I said, 'What are you doing here, Bob?' He said, 'That's my boy pitching.' I never put it together."

 

Derek Wathan is an infielder who likely will start the year off at Triple-A Albuquerque.

 

"This shows how much experience Jack has in the game and how he has been around baseball a long time," Derek says.

 

International appeal: McKeon is having fun interacting with the Korean media and learning Korean words in order to better communicate with first baseman Hee Seop Choi.

 

"If I can pick up two words a week, I'll be in pretty good shape," said McKeon, who blurts out words to Choi. "I say the words quick and loud to get it right."

 

On Saturday, McKeon was taught "E-gi-zu Marlins," which means "Marlins win."

 

The Marlins have an influx of talent from all over the world, and McKeon welcomes the international appeal baseball is receiving.

 

The Marlins on March 13-14 are set to play two Grapefruit League games against the Astros in Mexico City.

 

"It's part of the game," McKeon said of making the Mexico trip. "Anything you can do to help baseball internationally is good for all of us."

 

Very good news

[fishfan25]

Paulino Guerrero > Vlad. Guerrero ( :shifty )

[KJC]

sssssure fishfan

:lol

who knows, as long as he doesnt age 4 years like our last big latin american signing...

[JMLinkinPark]

Nice. Interesting on the Paulino Guerrero Part...

[Izzie]

International appeal: McKeon is having fun interacting with the Korean media and learning Korean words in order to better communicate with first baseman Hee Seop Choi.

 

"If I can pick up two words a week, I'll be in pretty good shape," said McKeon, who blurts out words to Choi. "I say the words quick and loud to get it right."

 

On Saturday, McKeon was taught "E-gi-zu Marlins," which means "Marlins win."

Gotta love TJ

[Ramp]

isnt it Guerrro's cousin, not brother?

[farmer_fran]

isnt it Guerrro's cousin, not brother?

my bad I misread I'll change it.

[AJBurnett34]

Whoopee!

 

I cant wait to see AJ, he is already throwing Breaking pitches and throwing harder. All Marlin fans will know what AJ is about when he starts pitching.

 

The battle of the Aces: Josh Beckett Vs. AJ Burnett

[Ramp]

Whoopee!

 

I cant wait to see AJ, he is already throwing Breaking pitches and throwing harder. All Marlin fans will know what AJ is about when he starts pitching.

 

The battle of the Aces: Josh Beckett Vs. AJ Burnett

i think you mean all baseball fans...

 

most Marlins fans know AJ is flat out wicked

[PBMarlin]

Where would Paulino start? Carolina? Jamestown?

[geemoney]

Where would Paulino start? Carolina? Jamestown?

I would guess the short-season rookie league with the Gulf Coast Marlins (is that still their name?)

[hot4beckett]

I'm waiting to see Aj in action.