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Pirates rehab: PlayStation

Monday, February 28, 2005

Pirates pitcher Sean Burnett, the team's first-round draft pick in 2000, had a promising rookie season ruined by elbow problems that contributed to his 5-5 record and 5.02 ERA in 13 starts. He didn't pitch after Aug. 21, and had surgery a month later.

Like all other pitchers who undergo "Tommy John" surgery, the recovery process has been slow and painstaking for Burnett. He spends most of his day in the trainer's room, getting treatment for his elbow and doing strengthening exercises for his left shoulder. "I put in almost as long of a day as the regular guys," he said.

As for the rest of his day, Burnett often can be found sitting in front of television, with his PlayStation in hand. "One of the first things the doctor told me was to use PlayStation or squeeze a ball to keep my fingers moving and the swelling out of there from the surgery," he said. "It helps a lot."