Pittsburgh Pirates

Burnett says elbow feels 'best it's felt in a long, long time'

Published Aug. 26, 2015 3:24 p.m. ET

foxsports

After veteran pitcher A.J. Burnett finished a mound session Tuesday as part of his rehab from an elbow injury, he was asked how he feels: “Knock on wood — let me find some wood,” Burnett said, turning to his locker in the Marlins Park clubhouse and knocking, “but yeah. It's the best it’s felt in a long, long time.”

Burnett delivered that news to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Bill Brink following two innings of work in a simulated game, which he said he finished pain-free.

That's great news for Burnett, who is likely to retire after the season, and for the Pirates, who could use his right arm back in the rotation for the final month of the season and postseason.

A flexor strain landed Burnett on the DL on July 31.

Brink reported that Burnett threw 35 pitches, all fastballs. Burnett is expected to throw three innings in a simulated game Sunday, and then decisions about his return will be made from there.

“Right now I'm pulling back the reins as opposed to working through something, so that’s where I need to be,” Burnett said. “I’m in a good spot. I want to be smart about it. If I need more time, I’ll take more time.”

(h/t Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)