A.J. Burnett once accidentally burned his hand with an iron, then threw a no-hitter the next day. He has screws in his hand and knees from other injuries.

So, Burnett was not stunned when Pirates doctors said he needed surgery to repair a broken orbital bone after he fouled a bunt attempt off his right eye.

"If it's freaky, it's going to happen to me," he said with a grin. "You learn to handle it."

Burnett returned to Pirates spring training Saturday, eight days after surgery in Pittsburgh. He has been cleared to resume workouts as part of a gradual return-to-pitch program. Yesterday, he rode an exercise bike and played catch for about 50 throws.

"The first few (throws) were a little hairy, I'm not going to lie," he said. "But it went fine. I've got a lot of catching up to do."