A.J. Burnett: Bad Luck Follows Former Yankees' Pitcher to Pittsburgh Pirates

Just when you think it couldn't get any worse for former New York Yankees starter, A.J. Burnett, it did after the Pittsburgh Pirates newest starter fractured his orbital bone while practicing bunting during spring training yesterday.

The video of Burnett fouling the bunt off his eye can be seen here.

Although the timetable for his return is not definite yet, Burnett will certainly miss the start of the season and there's no telling how long it will be before he can take the mound again.

Burnett was set to be the Pirates' No. 1 starter in 2012 after being traded from the Yankees where he was basically run out of town after two straight horrid seasons in pinstripes.

Not only was his lack of success in the Bronx bad enough luck, but Burnett was traded to a team that has become a perennial basement-dweller in the MLB.

Despite all the troubles Burnett caused Yankee fans during his tenure in New York, nobody could possibly wish this on him. He's had his fair share of hard luck the past few seasons, both on and off the field.

Besides, Burnett was a huge reason why the Yanks actually won the 2009 World Series after pitching a dominant game two in which the Bombers needed a win to even the series at one before it headed back to Philadelphia with all the momentum on the Phillies' side.

There will be many Yankee fans who always point to that game as the defining moment of Burnett's contributions to the Yankees while others will remember the more negative side.

No matter where you stand, what's past is past and I'm sure we all wish him a speedy recovery.

Here's to better luck in the future.