Pirates starter A.J. Burnett (9-7) surrendered five hits, three earned runs and four walks in 6 2/3 innings in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Reds. He struck out nine.

Burnett's final regular-season start turned out in disappointing fashion, although the 17-year veteran turned back the clock by recording nine whiffs, his second-highest total in a game in 2015. His spotty control Saturday led to four free passes and 107 pitches, his highest total in that category since a July 11 outing against the Cardinals.

Burnett also uncharacteristically surrendered a homer for the third straight start, his longest streak by far in a campaign during which he has only given up 11 gopher balls overall. Although he was unable to help the Pirates clinch home-field advantage for their upcoming wild-card showdown versus the Cubs, Burnett would still figure to be a vital component of the Pirates' postseason pitching staff if they reach the Division Series.

Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (9-6) lost a pitching duel Sunday, giving up two runs on seven hits and two walks, while striking out five batters in a 4-0 loss to the Cubs.

Burnett was undone by the brilliance of Jake Arrieta. Not only did the Cubs ace give up one hit through seven innings, he also hit a solo home run in the second inning off Burnett, accounting for the last run on the 38-year-old's ledger.

Burnett's ERA has hovered around 3.15 during his previous four starts, and it remains to be seen if he will make his last scheduled start Saturday against the Reds with the playoffs looming on the horizon.

Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett improved to 9-5 as he allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks over 5 2/3 innings Monday against Colorado. He also struck out five. 

Normally, four walks and a home run signal an off day for Burnett, but he handled Coors Field about as well as can be expected. Burnett limited the Rockies to one home run by inducing eight ground balls. His ERA is steady at 3.15, which would be the best mark of his 17-year career.

Pirates SP A.J. Burnett pitched well on Wednesday, as he allowed two runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings while striking out seven in a no-decision against the Cubs. After a brilliant start to the season, the second half has been far less friendly.

Burnett has now allowed 26 runs over his last six starts and that has raised his ERA nearly a run and a half. In any case, he still maintains a solid 3.15 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 145 2/3 innings this season.

The most impressive part of his campaign is that he has only walked 39 batters, which will be a career-low rate. Burnett's next start is a scary one, as he has to travel to Coors Field to take on the Rockies next Tuesday.

Making his first start since the end of July, Pirates right-hander A.J. Burnett allowed three runs on three hits over five innings. He walked two and struck out three and was handed a no-decision in the 6-4 extra-innings loss to the Brewers.

The only runs Burnett allowed on Thursday came on a three-run home run by Khris Davis in the very first inning. He was lifted after throwing 64 pitches, 38 for strikes. 

Burnett spent the last month and a half on the disabled list with a flexor strain in his elbow. 

As expected, the Pirates activated pitcher A.J. Burnett from the disabled list in order to start Thursday's game against the Brewers, the team announced. Burnett has been out since late July with a flexor strain in his throwing elbow.

Pirates standout starter A.J. Burnett will be activated off the disabled list for a Thursday start against Milwaukee, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

Burnett has been sidelined for more than five weeks with a flexor strain in his throwing elbow.

The right-hander, who threw a simulated game Friday and breezed through a Sunday bullpen session with no problem, will return with an 8-5 record and 3.06 ERA.

Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett could return to the team's rotation this week after he underwent a simulated game and bullpen session this weekend, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Burnett is currently on the 15-day disabled list with a elbow injury.

After throwing a simulated game Friday without any issues, Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett said he expects to return soon, reports Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"I feel where I need to be," said Burnett, who is on the 15-day disabled list because of a flexor strain in his right elbow. "A lot better than I expected to."

He is set to throw a bullpen session Sunday and then go from there.

"I expect to be throwing soon for the Pirates, because I feel great," he said.

Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett reported no issues after throwing around 70 pitches during a bullpen session Sunday, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Burnett has been out since late July with a flexor strain in his right elbow. He is targeting the Cubs series in mid-September for his return.

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said right-hander A.J. Burnett is expected to throw a simulated game on Sunday. Burnett, who is on the disabled list with a flexor strain, is scheuled to throw three innings, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

It is unclear if Burnett will require any additional rehabbing before returning to the rotation.

Pirates starting pitcter A.J. Burnett will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The outcome of the session could determine how soon Burnett can return to the Pirates' rotation.

“We flipped the hourglass,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “The sand's running out, and he wants to be smart with it. He also wants to have a sense of urgency with it in a smart way. We’re not going to sit and take an extra week. If we think we can go, we’re going to bump this thing forward and get it rolling.”

Burnett has been on the 15-day disabled list because of a flexor strain in his right elbow since late July.

Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett is making progress recovering from elbow inflammation that lnaded him on the disabled list. 

Burnett feels "good", according to manager Clint Hurdle. The team is optimistic that Burnett will get a "mound opportunity" when the Pirates return from their road trip, per the Pittsburgh Tribune.

The Pirates return home starting August 28. 

Despite nursing an elbow injury he suffered in late July, Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett is optimistic he can return later this season, reports MLB.com.

"Guys come back from this," he said. "[Jason] Grilli had it and came back strong."

Burnett is dealing with inflammation in his right elbow, but was able to play catch Tuesday and Wednesday.

"It's going well. Better," he said.

Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett was able to play catch Saturday and Sunday, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. It was the first time Burnett was able to play catch since being sidelined with an elbow injury in late July. He is expected to need four weeks to recover.

Starting pitcher A.J. Burnett was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow, the Pirates announced Monday. He received a platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection and his estimated time of recovery is four weeks.

The veteran right-hander is 8-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 21 starts, but the All-Star pitcher is 1-2 with a 10.13 ERA in three starts in the second half.

Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett has been diagnosed with a strained flexor tendon, according to Fox Sports. The UCL in his right elbow is also intact.

The veteran right-hander will undergo treatment in hopes of pitching again this season. He is 8-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 21 starts, but the All-Star pitcher is 1-2 with a 10.13 ERA in three starts in the second half.

Surgery is not an option for Pirates starter A.J. Burnett even if doctors tell him he has torn elbow ligament. He would rather pitch through it than undergo a season-ending procedure.

He went on the disabled list Friday with what was described as right elbow inflammation, but an MRI scheduled for Monday could reveal it to be worse.

"I'm prepared for (being told) it just needs some rest and if it's ... the worst (outcome)," Burnett told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "It's a matter of doing enough treatment and building up some pain tolerance so I can stay on mound in the stretch run."

That might be difficult considering how poorly Burnett has performed since the All-Star break. He has surrendered 18 runs on 32 hits in 16 innings and has lost his last two decisions.

The Pirates have placed struggling pitcher A.J. Burnett on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation. Burnett has been dreadful over his last three times out, going 1-2 with a whopping 10.13 ERA in that span.

Burnett claimed he was healthy following Thursday's disaster of an outing, when he allowed seven earned runs against the Reds. But regardless, he will be out for at least the next two weeks.

Slumping Pirates right-hander A.J. Burnett is downplaying his struggles, which reached a new low in a miserable outing Thursday against Cincinnati.

"I don't think it's a rough patch, man," he told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "Just had a bad day, that's all."

Burnett allowed seven runs on 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings in taking his second straight loss. That was the worst of three outings in which he has given up 18 runs on a whopping 32 hits in 16 innings pitched.

He had not surrendered more than four runs in any start in the first half of the season. He has yielded at least five in every start since the All-Star break. His ERA has risen from 2.11 to 3.06 since then.