TORONTO, March 29 (UPI) -- Right-hander A.J. Burnett of Toronto will begin the 2006 baseball season on the 15-day disabled list because of an elbow injury.
The Blue Jays made the designation on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-4 inch, 230-pound Burnett, 29, signed a $55 million, five-year contract during the off-season after seven seasons with the Florida Marlins. He was hurt March 18 in a spring training game against Boston.
An MRI exam revealed no serious damage.
Jays' General Manager J.P. Ricciardi said Burnett will make his first start against the Chicago White Sox on April 16, and that he will pitch a couple of rehab outings before that.
Burnett, who underwent Tommy John elbow surgery in 2003, was an 8th-round draft pick by the New York Mets in 1995. He has a 49-50 career record with a 3.73 ERA in 853 2/3 innings.
In 32 starts in 2005, he was 12-12 with a 3.44 ERA.
