Burnett (elbow) threw a simulated game Friday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burnett pitched a five-inning simulated game Sunday as well and reported feeling good afterward, so the 38-year-old appears to be progressing well. The team had earlier indicated they were targeting a return for the Sept. 15-17 series against the Cubs, which seems to still be in reach.

The Pirates are targeting the Sept. 15-17 series against the Cubs as a potential return date for Burnett (elbow), the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

He completed a five-inning, 71-pitch simulated game Sunday with ease. "Everything is fresh; everything is in the zone, very efficient work today," Burnett noted. The veteran added that he has no interest making a rehab start or pitching out of the bullpen.

Burnett (elbow) will pitch in a simulated game Sunday, Stephen Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burnett, who participated in a 55-pitch bullpen session Tuesday will try to mix in more curveballs this go-around as he works his way back from a strained flexor tendon that forced the 38-year-old on the DL in the beginning of August. Burnett's mid-September return doesn't appear to be in jeopardy --- a welcome sign for workhorse starters Gerrit Cole and Franscio Liriano who could stand to trim some innings as the Pirates begin their playoff push.

The Pirates are now targeting mid-September for a return by Burnett (elbow), according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

EDGE Analysis

The righty completed a 55-pitch session that pitching coach Ray Searage called "outstanding" and will throw three innings in a simulated game Sunday. Manager Clint Hurdle initially sounded as though he expected Burnett back sooner rather than later, but apparently that won't be the case -- he didn't throw any curveballs Tuesday. Whenever the veteran returns, Pittsburgh intends on using him as a starter.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett threw long toss Wednesday while recovering from a shoulder injury, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Burnett does not have a timetable for return.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett played catch Saturday and Sunday and is making progress faster than expected in his recovery from a flexor strain in his right elbow, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Burnett is now expected to return sometime in September. "We're testing out where he is and how quickly is that inflammation getting knocked out of there, how quickly is the discomfort out of there," general panager Neal Huntington said. "A.J. would like to come back in much less than four weeks, and we want to make sure that we put him in a position to be successful." The Pirates currently have the second best record in the National League, and Burnett, who considered retiring after last season, has been a major part of the team's success. In 21 starts, he has an 8-5 record with a 3.06 ERA.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett will rest for four weeks before beginning a throwing program as he attempts to recover from an elbow injury, according to the Beaver County Times. Burnett was placed on the 15-day disabled list last Friday and a subsequent MRI revealed a strained flexor tendon in his right elbow. “I was hoping there was nothing wrong, just some inflammation,” Burnett said before Monday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs. “If I was going to get bad news then this is the best I could hope for. I’m still going to have a chance to come back this season and that’s what I want more than anything. The timetable is kind of iffy. It could be a little shorter or a little longer. We’ll know more once I start move around again and see how I feel." If Burnett's rehab goes smoothly he could rejoin the rotation before the end of the regular season, but any setback would keep him sidelined until 2016.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett intends to pitch again this season despite suffering from a strained flexor tendon, according to Fox Sports 1. There was speculation that Burnett would not pitch again after being placed on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation, but an MRI revealed that his UCL is intact. Burnett said that he will not undergo surgery to resolve the issue. "In my mind, surgery is not an option," he told MLB.com. "I'd built up some pain tolerance. It comes and goes, part of doing this 16 years. You figure out what you can and can't do." Burnett, who considered retirement after last season, has had what may be the best season of his career after signing a one-year, $8.5 million deal in November, tallying a 3.06 earned-run average and 36 walks in 135.1 innings. If Burnett is able to avoid surgery, it is possible he could return for the postseason.

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 (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.