Burnett to miss first two starts; and start the year on the disabled list

[Halladay_is_God]

http://tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=160512&hubname=

Associated Press

3/29/2006 2:50:29 PM

DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP) - Toronto Blue Jays right-hander A.J. Burnett will miss his first two starts of the season and start the year on the disabled list.

Burnett, signed to a $55-million-US, five-year contract during the off-season, took himself out of a game March 18 with what an MRI later revealed as scar tissue in his right elbow.

GM J.P. Ricciardi said Wednesday that Burnett will make his first start against the Chicago White Sox on April 16. Burnett, three years removed from elbow surgery, threw off a mound Tuesday and the Jays want to be cautious.

"He's going to miss his first two starts," Ricciardi said. "We could probably bring him back a little quicker, but I think all things being equal this allows him to keep him totally on track to where he's supposed to be."
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Ricciardi said Burnett will pitch three or four innings Saturday in Toronto's final spring training game against triple-A Syracuse. He will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list and make rehab starts April 6 and 11.

Burnett signed with Toronto after going 12-12 with a 3.44 ERA for the Florida Marlins in 2005.

The 29-year-old was a key piece of Toronto's off-season 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.

Notes: Shirley Cheek, wife of the late Toronto Blue Jays broadcaster Tom Cheek, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the club's season opener against the Minnesota Twins next Tuesday.

The Blue Jays plan pre-game tributes to the beloved Cheek, who died last October after a 16-month battle with brain cancer, and to Kirby Puckett, the popular Twins Hall of Famer who died March 6 after suffering a stroke.

[Fishercat]

Ted Lilly is being troubled by some right (non-throwing) shoulder soreness, but he expects to make his first start on time.
"It's just to the left of my right shoulder," Lilly said. "I saw a doctor yesterday and he didn't think it was anything serious. I'll just take a couple of days off, leave it alone instead of trying to force it." Lilly is scheduled to start the second game of the season for the Jays.

This likely isn't a huge issue, but another pitcher is hurting for the Jays. Seriously, did they lose the health sweepstakes early or something?

[Halladay_is_God]

not to mention Scott Downs being hurt too

[BoSox34]

Definately a tough break for the Jays after all of their offseason acquisitions... But, I am sure once everyone is healthy the Jays will be fully ready to contend in the AL East.

[Halladay_is_God]

word is Ted Lilly and Scott Downs will be pushed back to the 4th or 5th spot in the rotation to face the Tampa Devil Rays.

Roy Halladay will make his scheduled opening day start with Josh Towers serving as the no. 2 starter and Gustavo Chacin as the 3rd starter against the Twins.

6'7 pitcher Brian Tallet will take Downs' spot in bullpen while Burnett serves time on the DL.