Burnett 'excited' for chance to pitch with Cubs

CHICAGO -- Alex Burnett certainly had an easy first day on the job with the Cubs on Monday.

The right-handed reliever, claimed off waivers from the Orioles, arrived at U.S. Cellular Field about half an hour before the first pitch of the Cubs' Interleague game against the White Sox. He could relax as Jeff Samardzija threw a two-hit shutout in a 7-0 victory.

Burnett, 25, is happy to get a chance to pitch. He appeared in two games with the Orioles this season after spending three years with the Twins.

"I was excited," he said about his reaction at the news he had been claimed by the Cubs. "It's a new opportunity, and I'm in a great organization and a fresh start, and they told me I was coming straight to the big leagues, and nothing better than that."

Burnett, who knows a couple of the Cubs from the Arizona Fall League, was asked for a scouting report on himself.

"I just go right after guys and let the defense do the work, and that's what I live and die by," he said.