BOSTON — Whether A.J. Burnett stays in the Yankees rotation is up to A.J. Burnett — and the struggling starter knows it.
Burnett said he has control over how he pitches tonight at Fenway Park, meaning he has some sway over whether he keeps his rotation spot.
“It’s not out of my hands,” Burnett said before the Yankees’ 9-5 loss to the Red Sox last night. “I can definitely take this opportunity to change some minds.”
Burnett will take the mound for the Yankees tonight in Boston in a start that is important for the team but perhaps critical for him personally. Burnett (9-11, 5.31 ERA) currently ranks as one of the worst pitchers in the majors, and the Yankees are planning on trimming their rotation from six starters to five after tonight.
Phil Hughes, who struggled again last night, giving up six runs in 5 2/3 innings, probably is his main competition for a final spot in the rotation nobody seemingly wants. CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova and Freddy Garcia are safe, and Bartolo Colon has better odds to stick.
“It is at stake,” Burnett said of his spot.
Burnett’s $82.5 million contract, Hughes’ own struggles and Hughes’ past success in the bullpen might help ensure Burnett stays in the rotation, no matter the result of tonight’s start. Though Burnett has been horrible recently, manager Joe Girardi said yesterday that one start could weigh significantly and perhaps override his last few outings.
Nevertheless, Burnett has been deplorable in his past eight outings, posting a 1-4 record with an 8.64 ERA. He has thrown 41 2/3 innings and put 86 men on base during that span — more than two per inning. Burnett’s 5.31 ERA is the second-worst in baseball for starters who qualify, behind Boston’s John Lackey (5.94).
“I’m not going to put added pressure on myself,” Burnett said. “It’s not about the numbers. It’s about getting on track.”
Can Burnett get on track against the Red Sox? If past numbers are any indication, that seems unlikely.
Burnett is 0-4 with a 9.15 ERA in eight starts against Boston in his three seasons as a Yankee. In his six starts at Fenway as a Yankee, he is 0-3 with a 10.61 ERA. In his one start against the Red Sox this season, in The Bronx on June 8, Burnett surrendered eight runs (seven earned) in 5 2/3 innings.
“Believe it or not, I go out there every time with confidence,” he said. “I do still believe in myself. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”
Burnett, who said he is doing some new mechanics with his hands, said because he doesn’t fire 99-mph fastballs anymore, he has to attack hitters differently.
“I need to find out ways that I can stay on the inside or outside part of the plate,” he said.
In his five August starts, Burnett posted an 11.91 ERA, and hitters batted .415 (44-for-106) off him.
Perhaps a change of the calendar will prompt a change in effectiveness.
“It doesn’t matter what month you are [pitching in], you’ve still got to execute,” Burnett said.