Burnett experiences setback during bullpen session

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels reliever Sean Burnett only got about halfway through his scheduled bullpen session on Friday morning because of stiffness in his left arm, the first setback in his return from August forearm surgery. He'll be shut down for at least two days.

Burnett, the 31-year-old lefty who was limited to 13 appearances last season, breezed through the previous four bullpen sessions and was introducing breaking pitches off a mound for the first time on Friday -- after only one day of rest, rather than his typical two.

Even without a setback, Burnett was already likely to start the season on the disabled list because he still has to face hitters and get into games. At the very least, this pretty much guarantees that Burnett will stay back for extended spring camp when the Angels return to Southern California on Thursday.

The Angels are hopeful that the latest ailment isn't serious, though, and are encouraged by the fact it took place outside of the area he was operated on. No MRI is currently planned.

"It's obviously a little setback right now," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, "but I think just the big picture is it's in a different area, it doesn't look like it's anything directly related to what bothered him last year. Hopefully, we'll get some good news in a couple of days when it calms down and he resumes throwing."