The Pittsburgh Pirates placed A.J. Burnett on the 15-day DL with right elbow inflammation, according to The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
It’s been an All-Star season as he has an 8-5 record with a 3.06 ERA in 21 starts. The 17-year veteran was one of the better pitchers in the National League for much of the season until his recent strain. Over his last three starts, the right-hander had allowed 18 runs in 16 innings pitched. The DL stint could really be a way to give him a rest.
While Burnett landing on the DL, the Pirates traded for J.A. Happ from the Seattle Mariners at the end of the trade deadline. It’s unclear how long Burnett will be out, which makes the Happ trade a possible important move down the final stretch of the season.
The 32-year-old Happ has a 4.64 ERA on the year, but has had a few quality starts lately. He’s fortunate that he might have to only go five innings because of the deep bullpen in Pittsburgh.