Burnett targets mound work in coming weeks

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels reliever Sean Burnett, recovering from August surgery on his left forearm, has begun long-tossing to about 120 feet and hopes to throw off a mound by the end of next week.

A return by Opening Day on March 31 is still Burnett's target, and it's still a realistic one. But if it takes a little longer, that's OK, too.

The 31-year-old left-hander won't truly know how good he feels until he throws off a mound again.

"Obviously it all depends on how I feel each time, but since I got here, there's been no setbacks, no reason to even worry about it," Burnett said. "It's just that throwing program takes so long. There's no race. I'd love to be ready for Opening Day, that's my goal, but at the same time I'm not going to jeopardize going back on the [disabled list] after two days. We want longevity and to be able to go the whole year. But I should be ready to go and pretty close."