Sean Burnett surrendered two runs on four hits over just 1/3 of an inning in his Cactus League debut Wednesday.

It's obviously not an ideal way to start things out, but the important thing is that Burnett feels fine physically. The left-hander may vulture some saves early in the season while Ryan Madson makes his way back from elbow surgery.

Sean Burnett (back) will make his Cactus League debut Wednesday.

Burnett was bothered by some lower back stiffness, but he's past it now. As a reliever, it shouldn't take much work for him to get ready for the season.

Sean Burnett (back) expects to throw a simulated game Sunday.

The Angels have shut down Burnett the last two weeks with lower back stiffness. If all goes well, he should be cleared to make his Cactus League debut Wednesday.

Sean Burnett (back) threw a bullpen session on Sunday afternoon and felt fine Monday morning.

Burnett was shut down for a little over a week with stiffness in his lower back. He will throw another bullpen session Tuesday before returning to Grapefruit League games later this week. The left-hander should be fully healthy when the 2013 regular season gets underway and may vulture some saves while Ryan Madson recovers from elbow surgery.

Sean Burnett (elbow) will throw a bullpen session this weekend.

If that goes well, he'll make his Cactus League debut sometime next week. Burnett has been slowed by elbow inflammation early on in camp but is pretty much back to 100 percent. He'll be in the mix for the closer role early in the season until Ryan Madson (elbow) is ready to return.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Sean Burnett is "in the mix" for the closer role until Ryan Madson (elbow) is ready to return.

Ernesto Frieri remains the favorite for early-season save chances, but Burnett and Scott Downs will also be given an extended look in spring training. Madson is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and is expected to open 2013 on the disabled list.

Sean Burnett (back) hrew from 45-60 feet Monday.

Burnett insists that he's ready to throw from a mound and that the Angels are just being cautious with his minor back ailment. "I'm not missing any games," the left-hander said.

Sean Burnett (low back) is expected to resume his throwing program Monday.

An MRI on Sean Burnett's ailing lower back showed nothing more than stiffness.

The Angels weren't too worried about Burnett, and the results confirm their suspicion that he's merely day-to-day. The left-hander should be able to resuming throwing from a mound before long.

Sean Burnett is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his stiff lower back Monday afternoon in Angels camp.

The Halos are optimistic that everything will check out fine. Madson signed a two-year, $8 million free agent contract this offseason with Anaheim after posting a 2.38 ERA in 56 2/3 innings last year for the Nationals.

Sean Burnett left Angels camp early on Monday morning because he was feeling "under the weather."

Burnett should be fine a couple of days. The lefty signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Angels this winter.

Angels signed LHP Sean Burnett to a two-year, $8 million contract.

Per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, Burnett can make an additional $650,000 in 2013 and 2014 based on games pitched. The deal includes a $4.5 million option for 2015 which vests if he makes 110 appearances between 2013 and 2014. The 30-year-old southpaw has averaged 71 appearances over the past three seasons. He and Scott Downs will give the Angels a pretty potent left-handed tandem in the bullpen.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports that Sean Burnett will receive $8 million over two years on his new deal with the Angels.

The deal also reportedly includes a team option for a third year. It's not a bad signing given that Burnett was originally looking for a four-year deal and winds up getting one fewer year and $10 million less than Jeremy Affeldt. The southpaw held left-handed hitters to a .211/.245/.289 slash line in 2012.

MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reports that the Angels have agreed to a contract with left-hander Sean Burnett.

It's a two-year deal with a club option for the 2015 season. Burnett drew interest from a wide range of teams this offseason after posting a 2.38 ERA in 2012 with the Nationals and holding left-handed hitters to a .211/.245/.289 slash line. He should do well in Anaheim setting up for Ernesto Frieri and Ryan Madson.

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals have bowed out of the bidding for free agent left-hander Sean Burnett.

Sean Burnett is open to signing a two-year contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

There was a report earlier this offseason that the left-handed reliever was seeking a four-year deal, but his agent quickly shot that down. Burnett, 30, posted a 2.38 ERA in 56 2/3 innings this summer for the Nationals while holding left-handed batters to a .211/.245/.289 slash line. The Cardinals and Angels are among the teams with interest.

According to Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com, the Nationals are resigned to the possibility that they won't be able to re-sign left-hander Sean Burnett.

As many of eight teams are in the mix while Burnett could command a three-year deal in the neighborhood of $15 million, so the bidding is likely to get beyond what the Nationals are comfortable spending. "We like Sean. We'd like to bring him back. But it has to make sense for us," said Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo. "And right now, I don't see a fit financially or term-wise. But he hasn't signed with anybody yet. We'll see where it leads us." The Nats could ask for bullpen help in return for Michael Morse if they are able to re-sign Adam LaRoche.

According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, the Angels are interested in left-hander Sean Burnett.

The Cardinals have also been linked to Burnett, and reports have indicated that several other teams could be involved. The 30-year-old posted a 2.38 ERA in 56 2/3 innings this past summer for the Nationals while holding left-handed batters to a .211/.245/.289 batting line.

MLB.com's William Ladson reports that the Cardinals have expressed interest in Sean Burnett.

Burnett declined his part of a 2013 mutual option with the Nationals after posting a 2.38 ERA in 56 2/3 innings this past season and figures to now cash in on the open market. The 30-year-old left-hander underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow in October but expects to be ready for the start of spring training.

Sean Burnett declined his $3.5 million option for 2013.

It was a mutual option, and the Nationals exercised their half, but Burnett is ready to cash in on what looks to be a friendly market for relievers. The 30-year-old left-hander had a 2.38 ERA in 56 2/3 innings this season.