A.J. Burnett RUMORS & NEWS

New York Post "The NL strikeout leader was at Citi Field last night and his name was not Matt Harvey. A.J. Burnett — 16-10 with a 3.51 ERA last year with Pittsburgh — is 3-3 with a 2.57 ERA and 62 strikeouts this season, when the Yankees are paying $8.5 million of his $16 million salary. The consensus is..." May 11

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Seattle starter Felix Hernandez lived up to his dominant billing as the Mariners beat the Pirates, 2-1, this afternoon at PNC Park. Former Cy Young winner Hernandez allowed one run on six hits in eight innings, striking out five batters to earn his fifth win of the season. The Pirates (18-15)..." May 09

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "A.J. Burnett turned to look at Carlos Beltran, who was standing on second base in the seventh inning Wednesday night at PNC Park. "I'm like, 'You can't swing and miss on one more for me?' " Burnett asked. Most of the St. Louis Cardinals did in a 5-0 Pirates win. Burnett held the Cardinals..." April 18

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "It begins quietly, and on this day you probably won't be able to hear it. Once A.J. Burnett leaves the dugout, the sellout crowd at PNC Park will roar. The chords won't poke through until he reaches the mound. The familiar cadence, repeated on a loop, da-dun-dun-dun-dun,..." March 31

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "Pitcher A.J. Burnett is mulling whether to retire after the 2013 season. But if he decides to keep playing, Burnett might consider an offer from only one team: the Pirates. “I enjoy it here and I enjoy these guys,” Burnett said Thursday after pitching three innings in his final spring training..." March 27

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Shortly after Russell Martin slid into his Pirates' catching gear for the first time, he saw a familiar face. On the first day of workouts this spring, Martin and former New York Yankees teammate A.J. Burnett were paired in the first set of bullpen sessions. And though the face was familiar,..." March 03

Bucs Dugout "The Pirates have, unsurprisingly, named A.J. Burnett their Opening Day starter when they kick off their season April 1 against the Cubs. This would appear to be a routine decision on Clint Hurdle's part. But what Burnett doesn't know is that this is all a setup for an elaborate prank in which..." February 20

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "A.J. Burnett put an end to two ugly streaks Sunday with a dominant performance on the mound. Leading the way to an 8-1 victory against the Houston Astros, Burnett helped the Pirates snap a five-game losing streak and became the first Pirates pitcher in 21 years to win more than 15 games in a..." September 24

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "A.J. Burnett became the first Pirates pitcher to win 16 games in a season since 1991 in an 8-1 victory against the Astros this afternoon at Minute Maid Park. Burnett allowed one earned run on four hits in eight innings to improve his record this season to 16-8. He struck out 11 batters and..." September 24

MLB.com "A.J. Burnett took the mound on Thursday with a new ingredient in his repertoire. He had his usual fastball and knuckle curve, and he also had an attitude. It isn't quite clear which did the Dodgers more harm, but the total package sparked the Pirates to a slump-interrupting 10-6 victory at PNC..." August 16

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Manager Clint Hurdle shuffled the Pirates' rotation Monday, ensuring that A.J. Burnett will stay on regular rest as the Pirates carry a six-man rotation through a stretch of 20 games in 20 days. Burnett was scheduled to pitch Friday's game in St. Louis against the Cardinals. He will now..." August 14

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Pirates starter A.J. Burnett was named the National League Player of the Week, the team announced this afternoon. Burnett was 2-0 and allowed two earned runs in 17 2/3 innings -- pitching one complete game and coming one out shy of another. He earned his 13th and 14th wins of the season, tied..." August 07

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "The Pirates desperately needed A.J. Burnett Sunday afternoon, and he didn't disappoint. Behind Burnett, the Pirates won for the 16th time in the past 17 games Burnett has started, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 6-2 at Great American Ball Park. The Pirates avoided the sweep against the NL Central..." August 06

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "A.J. Burnett was four outs away from a no-hitter. Instead, he earned a standing ovation from the Wrigley Field crowd. Burnett pitched a one-hit, complete-game shutout Tuesday night as the Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs, 5-0. With laser-like command and a cruel curveball, Burnett breezed..." August 01

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "A.J. Burnett sat on a black leather sofa in the Pirates clubhouse Tuesday night, processing what had just happened. He understood the basics. His attempt to win his ninth start in a row had not gone well. He did not have his best stuff, and the Astros had dropped lightly hit balls in all the..." July 08

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "Sometimes, good things happen when A.J. Burnett bunts. On Friday, the Detroit Tigers turned a routine bunt by Burnett into a two-run, two-error misadventure that sparked the Pirates to a 4-1 victory. It was the seventh consecutive win for Burnett (8-2), who owns the third-longest active..." June 23

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "After Saturday's win, Pirates right-hander A.J. Burnett has won six straight starts for the first time since 2008, when he was with Toronto. The Blue Jays' catcher that year was Rod Barajas. "I tell him every day how much fun it is to work with him again," Burnett said. "I feel relaxed out..." June 18

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "In a recent poll of more than 200 active major league players, right-hander A.J. Burnett was named the second-most overrated pitcher. The Pirates demand a recount. "It's way off base," Pirates catcher Rod Barajas said. "I don't know who voted for A.J., but if you gave them a chance to vote..." June 11

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "Jeff Banister, the Pirates' bench coach, has been forced to serve as manager only once this summer. That was May 2 in St. Louis, and cruel as fate can be, it was on that night that the team's heart-and-soul, 27-year employee had to make what still stands as the season's most compelling managerial..." June 06

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "Pirates right-hander A.J. Burnett was on. So was Cincinnati Reds righty Johnny Cueto. Burnett won the battle of the aces Wednesday, as Matt Hague smacked a two-run double to lift the Pirates to a 2-1 victory. "We needed a big outing from A.J. tonight to match up with Cueto," Pirates manager..." May 31

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Drew Stubbs found the tiniest of chinks in A.J. Burnett's armor Wednesday night, but, when the game was over, Stubbs' at-bats helped to represent Burnett's dominance. Stubbs reached first on an error in the first inning. He walked in the sixth. In between, Burnett retired 17 consecutive batters..." May 31

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Speaking before a game a few days earlier, manager Clint Hurdle rapped his knuckles on his desk before saying that the Pirates had not yet taken a hard beating this season. Wednesday, whatever luck was gained by knocking on wood ran out. The St. Louis Cardinals pounded line drive after line..." May 03

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "With each pitch, the crowd's frustration grew louder. A.J. Burnett squared to bunt three times in the third inning Saturday night, and, each time he did, the fans expressed their horror, the memory of the bunt-related injury that delayed his debut fresh in their minds. But Burnett walked and..." April 22

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "Pirates right-handed pitcher A.J. Burnett (broken orbital bone) will throw a bullpen session Wednesday at Chase Field and will be evaluated by the medical staff and pitching coach Ray Searage. Burnett will fly to Pittsburgh with the team, then make his fourth rehab start Saturday with Double-A..." April 18

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "A.J. Burnett is slated to make his next rehab start Monday with Triple-A Indianapolis. The right-hander was charged with eight runs — five earned — on five hits in 1.2 innings Wednesday for Single-A Bradenton, walking one and striking out four. Manager Clint Hurdle said Thursday that Burnett..." April 13

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "If A.J. Burnett continues his successful rehabilitation, he could join the major league rotation by the end of the month, general manager Neal Huntington said. Burnett will make another rehabilitation start Wednesday for Class A Bradenton, Huntington said. The Pirates would like him to reach..." April 09

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "Making an injury rehab start at Single-A Bradenton on Friday, Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett gave up one run and two hits in 42/3 innings against the St. Lucie Mets. Burnett, who had surgery March 2 to repair a fractured right orbital bone, struck out five and walked one. He threw 43..." April 07

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "A.J. Burnett threw a nifty little changeup, walked off the mound at McKechnie Field and raised his arms in celebration. By throwing a 40-pitch session of batting practice Saturday morning, Burnett took another step toward joining the Pirates' starting rotation. "A big step," Burnett said. "I..." March 25

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Starter A.J. Burnett pitched a bullpen session Wednesday at McKechnie Field, the latest step in his recovery from surgery. Burnett, who had surgery March 2 to repair a broken orbital bone beneath his right eye, threw 52 pitches to bullpen catcher Heberto Andrade with pitching coach Ray Searage..." March 22

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "With the way pitcher A.J. Burnett is healing from a fractured orbital bone, he is more likely to return to the team at the front end of the team's eight-to-12 week timetable. Maybe even earlier. "The sooner the better, if you ask me," said Burnett, who threw his first bullpen side session..." March 18

MLB.com "A.J. Burnett returned to the Pirates' camp on Saturday, and he didn't return quietly or tentatively. Cleared after an early-morning follow-up exam to progress to the second stage of his three-step recovery regimen, Burnett attacked his re-conditioning program with surprising fervor --..." March 11

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "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..." March 11

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "A.J. Burnett once broke a bone in his foot when he stepped into a gutter while bowling. He once broke a bone in his other foot while running on a treadmill. He tore a ligament in his hand while fielding batting practice. He blistered his throwing hand while ironing a pair of jeans into his team..." March 11

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Starter A.J. Burnett will miss two to three months while recovering from surgery to repair a broken orbital bone beneath his right eye, the Pirates announced Friday. Dr. Randall Beatty performed the surgery Friday at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Burnett must first recover from..." March 03

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "After pitcher A.J. Burnett has surgery Friday to repair a broken orbital bone, the Pirates should have a better idea of when — or if — their standout right-hander might return to spring training camp. Burnett was struck near his right eye by a batted ball Wednesday during a bunt drill. Assisted..." March 02

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "The Pirates added starting pitchers in the offseason to strengthen the rotation and eliminate the possibility of another second-half decline, but also to protect against injury. Their marquee acquisition fell victim to the very event from which they sought insurance. Starter A.J. Burnett was..." March 02

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett flew to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to be examined by team doctors after being struck in the face by a batted ball. Burnett, who was wearing a helmet, was injured Wednesday during a bunt drill. The Pirates have not released specific information about Burnett's injury,..." March 01

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Pirates starter A.J. Burnett was diagnosed with an orbital fracture in his right eye today and will have surgery Friday, the team announced. Burnett fouled a ball into his face Wednesday morning during a bunting competition and returned to Pittsburgh for evaluation Wednesday evening. He stayed..." March 01

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Starter A.J. Burnett was scheduled to return to Pittsburgh Wednesday night after fouling a ball off his face in a bunting competition Wednesday morning, the team announced. He will have further tests on his right eye. Burnett redirected the pitch, which came at medium speed from a pitching..." March 01

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "Almost a decade ago, when they were wild, young Florida Marlins teammates, A.J. Burnett and Miguel Cabrera would celebrate victories with a special handshake. It ended with them shouting, "Sangre!" which is Spanish for blood. "He liked it so much," Burnett recalled a few days ago before a..." February 26

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Shortly after 7 a.m. in a darkened photo studio at Pirate City, A.J. Burnett was half-dressed. He wore a yellow Pirates jersey, the top button undone, but shorts instead of baseball pants. On his wrist, almost blending in with the myriad tattoos on his forearms, he wore a purple band that read,..." February 26

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "The Pirates have young talent in their starting rotation and plenty more working its way up through the minors. What they lack is experience. A.J. Burnett has pitched 13 years in the majors and has started seven postseason games. He sent his cap to the Hall of Fame after tossing a no-hitter in..." February 21

New York Post "Russell Martin only caught A.J. Burnett for one season, but he knows what he saw. "I think sometimes he let negative thoughts get into his mind," Martin said of Burnett, who was traded to the Pirates. "It wasn't the fact that he didn't care. He probably cared more than anybody. He's just very..." February 21

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "A.J. Burnett departed his Maryland home Saturday for Florida, though his exact destination remained unclear. Once he received a call from Pirates general manager Neal Huntington and manager Clint Hurdle, his route solidified. Endpoint: Bradenton. "It's going to be a fresh start, it's going..." February 21

New York Post "No more excuses for A.J. Burnett and no more Yankee thoughts. Burnett the Pirate took some blame for his failures with the Yankees yesterday at Pirate City, but also said he may have let too many people in pinstripes mess with his mechanics. "Without getting too far into it,'' Burnett..." February 21

New York Post "A smiling A.J. Burnett has put the Yankees in his rear view mirror. The pie thrower is thrilled to be a Pie-rate. "It's a fresh start,'' Burnett told The Post yesterday of pitching for Pittsburgh, his first interview since the trade talks began. "They've got a young, good team here and coming..." February 20

Pittsburgh Tribune Review "A.J. Burnett is finally a Pirate. Major League Baseball on Sunday night finalized the trade between the Pirates and New York Yankees, bringing Burnett to Pittsburgh in exchange for two Class A prospects. The Yankees got reliever Diego Moreno and corner outfielder Exicardo Cayones, neither of..." February 20

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette "Once commissioner Bud Selig provided his stamp of approval Sunday night, the deal was done. The machinations between the Pirates and New York Yankees concluded when the Pirates officially announced the trade that brings right-hander A.J. Burnett to the Pirates in exchange for minor leaguers..." February 20

New York Post "This is A.J. Burnett, so of course it did not work out how the Yankees imagined. The Yankees did not want to give him more than a four-year contract because he was a health risk. But once the Braves offered a fifth year, the Yankees blinked, convincing themselves to do so largely because they..." February 19

New York Daily News "The Yankees and Pirates agreed Friday to a trade that will end the topsy-turvy A.J. Burnett era in the Bronx, and the Bombers are now turning their attention to using some of the money saved in that deal to add Raul Ibañez and Eric Chavez to their lineup. The trade, which won't be finalized..." February 18