Burnett hoping groin soreness doesn’t lead to inactivity

A.J. Burnett doesn't feel that the groin soreness that had him lifted from Friday's 6-3 win over the Miami Marlins was too serious.

The 37-year-old Phillies righthander also knows that nothing can be taken for granted.

So he will be examined on Saturday and eventually find out whether he will be able to make his next start. Even a mild groin injury could make pitching very difficult.

"It takes a lot to get me off the field," Burnett said. "It was pretty uncomfortable in that last inning".

Burnett struggled every inning but the first, which he set the Marlins down on just eight pitches.

He said that was the inning he felt best. After that, the soreness would come and go until the fifth inning when it wouldn't leave.
Burnett left the game with the Phillies leading 3-2. There was one out in the fifth with the bases loaded when Burnett departed. Jake Diekman ended the inning by getting two strikeouts).

Burnett said he has had this groin soreness in the past, but this is the first time this year.

"I am not concerned but then again you never know, I am not a spring chicken," he said. "It takes a lot to get me out of the ball game and I am not too happy about that."

Burnett walked six and threw just 54 strikes out of 106 pitches.

One thing that was impressive about Burnett is that he didn't lose any velocity even in the fifth inning.

He prides himself on his durability and it shows. Burnet has made 30 or more starts in each of the previous six seasons.

That durability will be tested.