Burnett Will Undergo Surgery - East Idaho News
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Burnett Will Undergo Surgery

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Getty S 3112 A.J.%20Burnett?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1330627523303J. Meric/Getty Images(NEW YORK) –It’s not exactly the start that Pirates fans wanted to Spring Training with their newly acquired pitcher.  A.J. Burnett will undergo surgery on Friday to repair a fractured right orbital bone.

Burnett, who came over from the New York Yankees in a three-player trade last month, injured himself after a bunt attempt hit him in the face.

According to an account of the incident in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Burnett “redirected the pitch, which came at medium speed from a pitching machine, toward his right cheek and eye socket and under the brim of his helmet. The impact made an audible sound as the ball struck his face and drew blood. A trainer stemmed the bleeding with a towel and Burnett left the field.”

The Pirates who are coming off a 72-90 season were hoping Burnett would be able to become the No. 1 starter this year on a young pitching staff.

There is no timetable set for Burnett’s return.

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