A rocky year for Yankees starter A.J. Burnett got worse on Saturday. The right-hander unleashed some pent-up anger on a clubhouse door that forced him to leave his start in a game the Yankees would eventually lose 10-5 to the Rays.
Burnett had to leave the game after suffering lacerations on the palms of both hands.
According to ESPN.com, Burnett was frustrated after allowing a two-run home run to Reid Brignac with two outs in the second inning, and promptly unleashed on the door, cutting his hands on a plastic holder.
Manger Joe Girardi pulled Burnett the next inning as his struggles continued. The 33-year-old allowed four runs on four hits in his two innings.
Burnett originally insisted that the injury was the result of a fall up the clubhouse stairs, but he has since revealed the truth and apologized to his teammates.
"To me controlling your emotions and not hurting yourself and hurting the team's chances to win is more important," Girardi told ESPN.com. "Because if you hurt yourself you have no chance to help us."
The injury is not expected to be an issue, and Burnett, who wore bandages during Sunday’s game, is not expected to miss his next scheduled start against the Kansas City Royals on Friday.
The struggling righty said that he felt fine following an informal long toss session before Sunday’s game, ESPN reports.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman has said that Burnett will not be disciplined by the team for Saturday’s actions.
It’s been an up-and-down season for the 12-year veteran who is in the midst of his second year in a Yankee uniform. Burnett is 7-8 with a 4.99 ERA in 19 starts this season.
Burnett had actually pitched well in his two previous starts, allowing only two runs in 13 2/3 innings, but Saturday’s loss was an indication that he may have not completely recovered from a horrendous June in which he went 0-5 with a 11.35 ERA.
