Burnett (forearm/elbow) will be examined by team doctors Monday and expects to require an MRI, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. Regarding his condition, Burnett said, "The soreness and stiffness [in the elbow area] are a lot better now. But I don't expect it to go away and I don't expect it to get better."

Burnett, who was previously contemplating retirement before signing a one-year deal with the Pirates last November, has said he won't consider surgery regardless of the severity of the injury. If tests Monday show that Burnett is dealing with any structural damage to a tendon or ligament, the veteran right-hander seems content to hang up his cleats for good. It certainly seems like Burnett could be dealing with a serious injury, as his velocity checked in around the mid-80s in his last outing Thursday, which resulted in his placement on the DL. Burnett's potential absence during the postseason would be a tremendous loss for the Pirates, as their starting depth drops off tremendously after Gerrit Cole and Francisco Liriano.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett will be examined by team doctors Monday and will likely require an MRI on his injured forearm, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher A.J. Burnett will be examined by team doctors Monday and will likely require an MRI on his injured forearm, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "The soreness and stiffness [in the elbow area] are a lot better now," Burnett said. "But I don't expect it to go away and I don't expect it to get better." Burnett, who considered retirement after last season before signing a one-year contract to return, said he will not consider surgery regardless of the severity of the injury. If the test Monday shows that Burnett is dealing with any structural damage to a tendon or ligament, it is possible he could retire. His velocity dropped to the mid 80s in his last start, which prompted the team to place him on the 15-day disabled list in order to determine the cause of the decline.

Burnett was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday.

Burnett's fastball dipped to the 85-90 mph range in Thursday's game, and now the likely reason behind it has been revealed. The Pirates added J.A. Happ to the roster and rotation in Burnett's place, while the veteran hurler's timetable will likely become more clear once an official diagnosis has been made.

Burnett gave little reason after Thursday's loss as to why his fastball sat in the 85-90 mph range or why he threw only two curveballs during the first two innings. "I'm 38," Burnett told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "It's what I had. It's sad."

While Burnett's velocity returned sporadically -- he later hit 94 mph before again dropping into the 80s -- his command more resembled the 2014 version of Burnett than that of his first-half 2015 All-Star appearance. Pittsburgh might consider skipping the righthander's next start. Fantasy owners should consider doing the same.

Burnett (8-5) surrendered eight runs -- seven earned -- on 10 hits and two walks while striking out four in 4.1 innings Thursday against the Reds.

After a superb first half to the season, Burnett has struggled in all three of his post All-Star break starts. In his three games since the break, he has allowed 18 runs and 32 hits in 16 innings, boosting his ERA from 2.11 -- tied for the NL's second-best at the time -- to 3.06. He had gone 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in three starts against the Reds, but he couldn't make it past the fifth inning Thursday as his slump continued. He'll look to bounce back in his next scheduled start Tuesday against the Cubs.

Burnett took the loss Saturday, giving up five runs on 11 hits over 5.2 innings while striking out eight.

It's the second straight start, and third in his last seven outings, in which Burnett has coughed up double-digit hits. His 2.68 ERA and 1.29 WHIP are still strong, but he could have a bumpy ride over the last two months of the season. Burnett's next start comes Friday in Cincinnati.

Burnett improved to 8-3 despite allowing six runs on 11 hits over six innings Monday against the Royals.

Burnett walked just one and was thus able to stay in the game long enough to use eight runs of support from his offense, just enough to cling to the victory. It was a rare start when hitters were able to key in on Burnett and make contact, as he drew just five swinging strikes, but he still owns a brilliant 2.44 ERA with a 102:34 K:BB on the year.

Burnett (7-3) allowed three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out six over 6.1 innings in a no-decision against the Cardinals on Saturday.

Burnett walked three batters for the second straight start, but the 38-year-old is still walking a career-low 2.49 batters per nine innings. In fact, the first-time All-Star is enjoying his most productive season ever in his 17th major league campaign, and he even contributed on offense in this one with his first home run since 2005. Saturday's start was just the fourth time all season Burnett has allowed three or more runs, and the veteran will look to replicate his outstanding first half after participating in the All-Star festivities for the first time.

Burnett continued his dominance Monday, allowing just one run in 7.2 innings against the Padres.

Burnett walked three batters, but was able to limit the damage against him in this one. The veteran has had a renaissance season, lowering his ERA to 1.99 with Monday's strong start. He'll take the ball again this weekend against St. Louis.

Burnett earned his seventh victory Wednesday, holding Detroit to two runs on seven hits in seven innings. He struck out four without issuing a walk.

The veteran righty threw 24 of 29 first-pitch strikes and compiled a 15:4 GO:FO ratio. Burnett now holds a 2.05 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 105.1 IP. He continues to show few signs of slowing down in his last season for the Bucs.

Burnett gave up two runs -- one earned -- on eight hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings Thursday against the Reds.

Burnett labored through six innings, needing 110 pitches to get 18 outs. He failed the retire the Reds in order even once, but left with a 4-2 lead thanks in part to a two-run single he laced up the middle off Cincinnati's Anthony DeSclafani in the second. It was the first multiple-RBI hit of Burnett's 17-year career, but the Pirates failed to hold on to the lead, leaving Burnett with a no-decision. The 38-year-old lowered his ERA to 2.01, and he'll look to lower it even more in his next scheduled start Wednesday at Detroit.

Burnett allowed four runs (three earned) on 14 hits, walking one and striking out seven over 6.2 innings of a 4-1 loss to the Nationals on Friday night.

Burnett (6-3, 2.05 ERA) has enjoyed a renaissance season so far this year, but this was not one of his strongest outings. Allowing 14 hits, and a walk, he was dodging bullets throughout, and did well to limit the damage. He continues to make the transition to more of a finesse pitcher, having lost some of his power arsenal, so he could be challenged at times, but he has enjoyed considerable success this season.

Burnett tossed nine shutout innings against the Phillies on Sunday, allowing five hits and a walk while striking out four.

A season after allowing the most earned runs in the majors, Burnett has compiled a 1.89 ERA through 85.2 IP. He registered a career-best 3.30 ERA for Pittsburgh in 2013 and remains on track to better that performance. At 38 years of age, injuries remain a constant worry. Regression is also a distinct possibility, but for now Burnett and his 74:24 K:BB ratio continue to wow fantasy owners.

Burnett fell to 6-2 after a hard luck loss to Milwaukee on Monday in which he allowed just one run on five hits over six innings.

Burnett struck out six and walked one and continues a brilliant season, but Jimmy Nelson and the Brewers managed a shutout Monday night to negate the effort. Burnett's ERA is down to 2.11 and his K/BB is up to 3.04.

Burnett (5-1) picked up the win Thursday, giving up five runs- four earned- on eight hits and two walks while striking out six in 5.2 innings Thursday against the Padres.

Burnett won his fifth straight start, as the Pirates defeated the Padres 11-5. Jung Ho Kang hit a three-run homer and Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco also went deep in support of Burnett. Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker and Franciso Cervelli each had three of the Pirates' 15 hits, and the Pirates starters are 7-0 during their win streak. Burnett is off to a hot start, with five wins and a 1.81 ERA. He'll look to add to his win streak in his next scheduled start Tuesday at San Francisco.

Burnett was dominant on Saturday, giving up just one run on five hits over seven innings and striking out a season-high 10 to pick up his fourth win of the season.

He continues to impress, and Burnett has now reeled off eight straight quality starts while sporting a 1.37 ERA and a 53:18 K:BB ratio in 59 innings. He'll have an excellent shot at making it nine straight QS in his next start, on the road against the Padres in pitcher-friendly Petco Park on Thursday.

Burnett picked up his third win of the season on Sunday, striking out seven across seven scoreless innings versus the Cubs. He did issue five walks and gave up three hits, however.

Free passes aside, the 38-year-old was dominant again and has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in all eight of his starts this season, delivering quality starts in seven of those outings. Burnett will now have a week of rest before his next start, which will come next Sunday against the Mets as he attempts to win his fourth straight.

Burnett earned his second win of the season Tuesday, throwing seven innings of two-run ball (one earned) against the Phillies. He gave up six hits and a walk, striking out five.

The righty lowered his earned-run average to 1.60 in 45 innings. Burnett, who has yet to allow more than two runs in any of his seven starts, continues to deliver after taking a $4 million-plus pay cut to play for Pittsburgh instead of Philadelphia. His 1.15 WHIP represents a career low for the 38-year-old, making it likely that number will rise at some point.

Burnett pitched seven innings, giving up two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four to pick up the win Thursday against the Reds.

Burnett (1-1) held the Reds in check for seven effective innings to pick up his first win of the season. His four strikeouts gave him 2,401 for his career, tying him with Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley for 40th all-time. Burnett began the night with the lowest ERA in the National League (1.45) but has nothing to show for it in the win column thanks to an offense that generated five runs total in his first five starts. He'll look to pick up his second win of the season in his next start Tuesday at Philadelphia.

Burnett fanned seven and walked three while giving up two hits over six scoreless innings against the Cardinals on Friday night.

He did not factor in the decision, however, as the Cards scored a game-tying run in the seventh inning and eventually won in extra innings. Burnett has improved his walk rate (8.1%) through five starts with the Pirates this season, carrying peripherals that more closely resemble his 2013 campaign with Pittsburgh than his injury-laden one with the Phillies a year ago. Burnett fill face the Reds at PNC Park in his next scheduled start Thursday.