Burton expects to be available despite groin tightness

WASHINGTON -- Reliever Jared Burton said he felt a twinge in his left groin while pitching in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Nationals, but said he expects to be available to pitch on Sunday.

Burton threw a scoreless ninth inning, retiring all three batters he faced, but said his cleat got caught on the mound and caused him to experience some tightness in his groin.

"I think my cleat got hung up when I was facing the second hitter," Burton said. "On the last pitch I threw to him that I struck him out on, I felt a little hesitation there, and on the last hitter I felt some fatigue there. But it feels good today. I went out and threw, so I should be fine."

Burton said it was also nice to bounce back after giving up four runs in his previous outing against the Royals on Thursday.

"It was great," Burton said. "I try to stay as even keeled as possible throughout the year. Once I left the clubhouse in Kansas City the other night, I tried to leave everything there. So it was a clean slate, and I was able to come in yesterday and throw a 1-2-3 inning."