Now A.J. Burnett Is Officially A Pirate: He Hurt Himself Bunting A Ball Off His Face

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle's affection for the bunt is such that he once had his cleanup hitter do it last season with the go-ahead run on first—and in a game in which that cleanup hitter already had two hits. Hurdle holds an annual bunting tournament in spring training, and yesterday, this is what happened to the newly acquired A.J. Burnett. The ball ricocheted off Burnett's right eye socket and drew blood, and he had to be taken to Pittsburgh last night to be evaluated. The Pirates' chances this season have been diagnosed as normal. [ SweaterPunch]