DUNEDIN, Fla. -- A.J. Burnett and the Toronto Blue Jays were relieved Saturday after tests showed no damage to the pitcher's ailing elbow.
Burnett left Toronto's 8-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox after throwing only one pitch in the second inning, and the Blue Jays were concerned they might have lost one of their expensive new pitchers before the start of the season.
An MRI, however, showed no serious problems. Burnett will probably just have to wait at least five days before throwing again.
"A.J. Burnett experienced some discomfort in his right elbow during today's start against Boston," Blue Jays spokesman Jay Stenhouse said. "He was removed from the game for precautionary reasons. He was taken for a contrast MRI that showed no damage to the elbow. As a result of the MRI procedure, A.J. will need to wait for the contrast dye to dissipate prior to resuming throwing. This is likely five days. Both A.J. and the Blue Jays are very pleased by the result."
The right-hander signed a $55 million, five-year contract with the Blue Jays during the offseason after going 12-12 with a 3.44 ERA for the Florida Marlins in 2005.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons motioned to the area above and below the inside of his right elbow when describing where Burnett felt discomfort.
"It could be his forearm, and it could be his elbow. We don't know," Gibbons said before the test results came back. "He has had that elbow reconstructed in the past, so he knows his body."
Burnett was a key piece of Toronto's offseason overhaul. The Blue Jays also added closer B.J. Ryan for $47 million over five years, and traded for slugger Troy Glaus and first baseman Lyle Overbay.
"When he went to his neck and said, 'I'm done,' I knew we needed to take him out," Blue Jays pitching coach Bran Arnsberg said after the game. "Hopefully, we don't have anything to worry about, but it would be a huge loss for us -- a No. 2 starter on a major league club."
When pressed for more specifics about the injury, all Arnsberg would say is, "I'm not at liberty to speak about that. That's what I have been instructed and that's what I am going with."
Gibbons said it would be a big blow to the team if the injury was serious.
"We are hoping it's not," Gibbons said. "Even if it's not something serious, it's going to set him back a little bit anyways."
Burnett allowed two runs and three hits on 18 pitches.
Lenny DiNardo got the win by pitching three shutout innings. He allowed two hits and struck out two on 39 pitches.
Boston got 14 hits, including a solo homer by Enrique Wilson and a two-run shot by Adam Stern, both off left-hander Scott Schoeneweis.
Aaron Hill went 2-for-2 and Bengie Molina had two RBI for Toronto.
Notes
- Red Sox closer Keith Foulke threw a simulated inning to minor league hitters for the second time this spring. He threw 12 of 21 pitches for strikes and reported no pain in either of his surgically repaired knees. Foulke also reiterated that he expects to be in Boston's bullpen on opening day. "I'm confident in how I feel and with the work that I've done in live batting practice and bullpen sessions," he said. "I have no reservations about being ready for opening day."
- Toronto optioned RHP Dustin McGowan to Triple-A Syracuse.
- Boston RHP Matt Clement pitched four innings for Triple-A Pawtucket, allowing two unearned runs and three hits.
