Pirates Injury Thread

[RickD]

Burnett was injured as he hit during a bunting drill. After the ball hit the temple near his right eye, a dazed Burnett dropped into a crouch near home plate. Players who had gathered to watch the drill gasped loudly then went quiet as Burnett sagged to his knee. As he was examined by an athletic trainer, Burnett joked, "Where did the bone go?"

Where did the bone go?

[Mr. Baseball]

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett sustained a right-eye orbital fracture, and will undergo surgery on Friday in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates had no further word on a possible recovery time for Burnett, the right-hander acquired from the Yankees on Feb. 18 as the finishing piece of a team that will be seeking its first winning season since 1992.

Earlier on Thursday, the Bucs had already scratched Burnett from his Grapefruit League debut. He had been scheduled to face Toronto on Sunday in the McKechnie Field home opener.

I've never heard of a player getting surgery for an orbital fracture before -- this is a first!

Tough break for the Pirates..this will limit the amount of time he has to rework his mechanics before the regular season.

[RickD]

Ouch. I didn't like Burnett but dang, hate to see that happen to anyone..

[yankeebiscuitfan]

My eye-orbital wasn't fractured, but I had a similar injury after a bunting drill. Believe me, it hurt like hell. And since ten years the sight of that eye is worse than my other eye.

[RickD]

That was my thought with Burnett. Would there be vision problems in the future and might this end his career?

[yankeebiscuitfan]

I ain't gonna show it here because it is not nice to see, but there is a clip on MLB.com that shows the accident.

[Mr. Baseball]

MLB is reporting that Burnett will miss 8-12 weeks with the injury.

[Buccos13]

Well, the Pirates' problem of having to many starters has now been resolved. Looks like the starting five will be Erik Bedard, Kevin Correia, Jeff Karstens, James McDonald, and Charlie Morton, assuming that Morton will be ready by Opening Day (he had off-season hip surgery). If he isn't ready then Brad Lincoln will take over the 5th spot.

[Mr. Baseball]

That was my thought with Burnett. Would there be vision problems in the future and might this end his career?

I wouldn't think a pitcher needs great eyesight. Position players are required to track 95 MPH fastballs out of the pitchers hand, whereas pitchers just need to whip the ball and hope to hit the target.

[OutfieldGrass]

I think Bedard could be one of the top signings this offseason. As long as he can stay healthy of course. I had hoped we would have brought him back but I am not sure he was interested in returning.

Tough break for Burnett and the Pirates. Sounds if he will really benefit from a change of scenery and the Pirates really didn't have to break the bank. Tough to see him go down on a freak injury.