Pittsburgh Pirates’ A.J. Burnett Injury Latest Chapter in Curse of Francisco Cabrera
By Matt Shetler
Pittsburgh Pirates fans remember it as if it were yesterday.
The Terry Pendleton double. The Jose Lind error. Francisco Cabrera’s single off Stan Belinda and finally the wide-right throw from Barry Bonds.
That ninth inning in 1992 will never be forgotten, considering what has happened to the Bucs in the 19 years since.
Everyone knows the stories of futility during the past nineteen season’s, but things are starting to look on the bright side for the up and coming Pirates.
Pitching was an issue down the stretch for the Bucs last season but the additions of A.J. Burnett and Eric Bedard, while not superstars, make the Pirates starting rotation much better.
But scratch that plan after Burnett fouled a bunt off his eye that required surgery to repair a fractured right orbital bone, which will cost Burnett 8-12 weeks.
Only the Pirates.
Seriously. Who else does things like this happen to?
I blame the curse of Francisco Cabrera.
There’s been some longstanding curses in Major League Baseball. Boston eventually got over the curse of Bucky Dent. The Chicago Cubs still haven’t broken the billy-goat curse. Now add the curse of Francisco Cabrera to the list.
It’s not that Burnett was a savior for the Pirates. He’s coming off two bad years and needs to prove he’s still a good pitcher, but out of New York and the American League East and into the National League Central, one of baseball’s worst divisions offered up quite a bit of hope.
It was a smart move for the Bucs to make.
Now they have to wait a while to get any results from Burnett. Hopefully for the sake of the Pirates it won’t be too late.
Burnett’s absence likely opens the door for right-hander Brad Lincoln, who went 2-3 with a 4.72 ERA last season. Lincoln was a longshot to make the starting rotation when camp opened since the Pirates already have five established starters and that doesn’t include Charlie Morton, who won’t be back until May as he recovers from offseason surgery.
As for the opening day starter, thoughts are that Pirates manager Clint Hurdle will likely give the ball to Bedard or Kevin Correia.
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