Burnett was able to limit the damage against him again on Monday, allowing just one run over six innings of work against the Cubs.

Burnett has only allowed four runs in his 18 innings in 2015, but has also allowed 19 hits in that frame. The veteran has been keeping runs off the board, but doing so in a dangerous fashion. His next start will come against the Diamondbacks this weekend.

Burnett was a tough-luck loser Tuesday after giving up just one earned run on seven hits and two walks while striking out eight in 6.2 innings against the Tigers.

It's hard to complain about Burnett's production through two starts this season, as he has given up just three earned runs with 15 strikeouts in 12 innings, although he does not have a win to show for his troubles. He should be able to continue to miss bats as his next start comes Monday against the free-swinging Cubs.

Burnett struck out seven batters over 5.1 innings Thursday against the Reds, allowing two runs on four hits and a walk.

He was working on a shutout before giving up a two-run homer to Joey Votto in the sixth inning, which got him pulled from the game. Despite the unfortunate ending that kept Burnett from registering a quality start, this was a solid start to his final season in the major leagues.

Burnett hurled four scoreless innings against the Yankees on Thursday in his final spring tuneup.

The 38-year-old veteran, who has already announced that 2015 will be his last big-league season, is set to debut Thursday, April 9 against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Burnett gave up two unearned runs in six innings of a "B" game Saturday, striking out seven while throwing 19 of 24 first-pitch strikes. "I'm ready now," Burnett told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

After pitching for Philadelphia through a sports hernia in 2014, he makes for a decent late-round draft target. He's averaged 193 strikeouts over the last three season and figures to improve upon last year's 4.59 ERA.

Burnett allowed five runs on three hits and three walks in 4.2 innings Monday, striking out five batters, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Burnett worked with newly-acquired catcher, Francisco Cervelli, for the first time this spring and the two met halfway between the mound twice in the first inning. "It's just getting him where I want him (positioned) behind the plate," Burnett said of the visits. "He caught me in New York, but I'm a completely different guy than I was in New York."

Burnett has walked five batters in eight spring innings as he attempts to incorporate a changeup into his pitching repertoire.

The righty threw his changeup sparingly (7.5 percent) in 2014, but with an average fastball of 91.7 mph -- two miles per hour slower than his career mark -- the 38-year-old is looking to trick batters one more time during his final season. Burnett enters 2015 as Pittsburgh's No. 3 starter and figures to compile an earned-run average between his numbers from 2013 (3.30 ERA) and 2014 (4.59 ERA).

Burnett, who signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Pirates on Friday, said that he underwent hernia surgery right after the season ended, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

This was expected, but Burnett confirmed after his signing was made official that he did undergo surgery to address the hernia issue that bothered him all year long. He added that he expects to a full-go come spring training. Burnett left more than $4 million on the table to come back to Pittsburgh -- his player option with the Phillies was worth $12.75 million -- but he'll get to play for what should be a contending team and there's reason to believe his numbers will improve with a better defense behind him.

Burnett has agreed to a one-year $8.5 million deal with the Pirates.

He will look to reclaim some of the magic he had in Pittsburgh in 2013 after scuffling in a one-year stay in Philadelphia. Last season he posted a 4.59 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP in 213.2 innings -- a far cry from the 3.30 ERA and 1.21 WHIP he had in 2013 with the Pirates. The defensive shifting and emphasis on defensively skilled position players in Pittsburgh certainly sets it apart from the way things are done in Philadelphia, so it's easy to see why Burnett fared better as a Pirate. He will also be going to a better park for pitching, so there are plenty of reasons to expect a minor bounce back in his age-38 season.

Burnett (hernia) declined his $12.75 million player option and will become a free agent, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports.

Burnett, 37, was ineffective for most of the year, leading the majors in earned runs allowed (109), walks (96) and losses. He concluded the season with an 8-18 record with a 4.59 ERA in 34 starts. Looking ahead, Burnett will likely look to sign on with a contender at a discount, though retirement may also be an option.

The Phillies and Burnett (hernia) both declined their $15 million mutual option for 2015 on Friday, leaving Burnett to decide whether to exercise his $12.75 million player option, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.

Burnett has until Monday to make his decision on the player option. It was reported early last month that Burnett will likely want to pitch next season rather than retire. He could still decide to opt for free agency if he does not want to pitch for the Phillies as they begin a rebuilding process.

John Heyman of CBS Sports reports that people close to Burnett (hernia) suggest it is more likely than not that he will pitch next season.

Burnett, who was scheduled to have hernia surgery this month, has a $12.75 million player option that he must exercise within five days after the World Series ends. He has hinted that he would consider retirement this offseason, but it sounds as if he'll take the money and return to the Phillies for another season.

Burnett will have hernia surgery next week, and has not made a decision about returning for the 2015 season, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Gelb reports.

He said it has bothered him all year, and that could be part of the reason he was so mediocre in 2014. In 207 innings he posted a 4.57 ERA with 183 strikeouts, so even if he returns for the 2015 season, he'll be available on the cheap on draft day.

Burnett allowed six runs on three hits and six walks while striking out three in 4.1 innings in the Phillies' 8-6 loss to the Athletics on Sunday.

It's the most runs he's let up since July 28. It was also his shortest start since Aug. 2. The six walks tied a season-high for the 37-year-old, who will contemplate retirement after the season.

Burnett hinted he may be dealing with another injury in addition to a hernia that will require surgery after the season, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. "If I can lift my arm up at the end of the season, then I might pitch [next season]," Burnett said. "We'll see how it goes."

Manager Ryne Sandberg said that Burnett has not appeared on team medical reports. If he is dealing with an injury, it is something he can continue to pitch through. Burnett has until five days after the World Series ends to decide if he will execute his $12.75 million player option for 2015.

Burnett allowed five runs, four earned, on eight hits over 5.2 innings against the Padres on Tuesday.

Burnett was saddled with his 17th loss of the season. The walks added to his major league-leading total of 87 this season. He will face the A's in Oakland in his next start.

Burnett gave up four runs and six hits in six innings against Pittsburgh on Thursday. He walked three and struck out seven.

Burnett was pitching well until the sixth inning, when he allowed three runs. The veteran right-hander has been consistently inconsistent this season, alternating strong starts with clunkers. The fact that he's capable of dominating an opponent in any start, like his 12-strikeout game on August 25 against Washington, is particularly frustrating. If you want to roll the dice and hope for good Burnett next week, he will make two starts on the road against San Diego and Oakland.

Burnett struck out four and walked two while giving up one run on six hits over seven innings Saturday to pick up his eighth win of the season.

The outing lowered Burnett's season ERA to 4.29, as he been plagued by inconsistency while attempting to pitch through an inguinal hernia this season. Burnett will line up to face the Pirates on Thursday in his next scheduled start.

Burnett surrendered nine hits and five earned runs in six innings of Philadelphia's loss to the Mets on Sunday.

Burnett had pitched four scoreless innings before running into trouble in the bottom of the fifth. The right-hander has logged losing decisions in six of his last seven starts, but he has at least been fanning batters at a high rate. Burnett has a 41:12 K:BB ratio over his past five starts spanning 32.2 innings, with his next start coming up on Saturday in Washington.

Burnett softened his stance on retirement after his solid outing Monday night, CSN Philly reports. "I guess you could say I've still got it when I do have it," Burnett said. "My decision will come down to how I feel and what my family and I decide. It's just one start, but to be able to go out and do that tonight makes you wonder."

Burnett said he would likely retire after his previous start which came on the tail end of a seven start stretch where he went 0-6 with a 6.41 ERA. He allowed one run and one walk with 12 strikeouts in Monday's win over the Nationals. Burnett has cleared waivers making him eligible to be traded before the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline, but a move seems unlikely given his overall struggles this season, and the amount of money he is owed next season if he executes his player option.