Sean Burnett underwent arthroscopic surgery Thursday to remove two small bone spurs from his left elbow.

Burnett battled the elbow issue during the second half this season. The procedure is not expected to affect his offseason throwing program. The left-hander is expected to decline his half of a $3.5 million option for 2013 and test out free agency.

Sean Burnett (elbow) will undergo surgery next week.

Sean Burnett (elbow) made a scoreless relief appearance Wednesday in his return to action.

Burnett had been sidelined 10 days with an inflamed nerve in his right elbow. He should be fine going forward.

Sean Burnett returned to action on Wednesday September 12.

Sean Burnett (elbow) threw 15 pitches in a bullpen session Monday.

Burnett said he felt fine and he hopes to be available Tuesday, though Nationals manager Davey Johnson will likely wait until Wednesday to bring him back. The southpaw hasn't pitched since last Sunday due to an inflamed nerve in his pitching elbow.

Sean Burnett (elbow) is scheduled for a bullpen session Monday.

Burnett played catch Saturday without any issues and will do so again Sunday. The left-hander has been out of commission for a week due to a sore elbow, but it sounds like he's on the comeback trail.

Sean Burnett (elbow) is scheduled to play catch Saturday.

Burnett hasn't pitched since Sunday due to an inflamed nerve in his pitching elbow, but he hopes to be available as soon as Monday against the Mets. The 29-year-old southpaw has a 2.49 ERA and 50/10 K/BB ratio over 50 2/3 innings this year.

Sean Burnett (elbow) will not resume throwing until at least this weekend.

Burnett has been battling lingering elbow discomfort since right around the All-Star break and has been prescribed a new anti-inflammatory. The Nationals currently have no plans to send him for an MRI, though they could change if the medication doesn't work.

Sean Burnett will be unavailable for the next few days because of an irritation in his left elbow.

Burnett has battled the lingering elbow discomfort since right around the All-Star break, but he should be able to pitch through it after a short period of rest. The left-hander has registered a superb 2.49 ERA and 1.18 WHIP across 50 2/3 innings this season.

Sean Burnett admitted Saturday that he's been pitching with tightness in his elbow for six weeks.

Burnett added that he wasn't worried about the injury and that he "felt fine pitching". His numbers obviously haven't reflected any underlying problem, as he's compiled a 1.97 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 33/7 K/BB ratio over 32 innings this season. But it's certainly something to keep an eye on.

Sean Burnett returned to action on Monday April 16.

Sean Burnett was unavailable Friday night against the Reds due to back stiffness.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson is hopeful that he'll be ready to pitch Saturday. Burnett has struck out four over 2 1/3 scoreless innings this season.

Sean Burnett tweaked his back on Wednesday.

Burnett has dealt with back problems for much of his career and isn't concerned that this newest issue will affect his ability to get geared up for the start of the regular season. The 29-year-old left-hander will act as a setup man this year in the talented Nationals bullpen.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Yankees have only discussed acquiring Sean Burnett "internally."

The Nationals have not yet engaged in trade negotiations, though that could change soon after the All-Star break. Burnett has not fared well this season, sporting a 5.59 ERA in 29 innings, but he has enjoyed great success in the past.

Craig Heist of WTOP in Washington, D.C. hears that the Yankees have interest in Nationals left-hander Sean Burnett.

The Yankees would be buying low on Burnett, who has a 5.59 ERA and 15/9 K/BB ratio over 29 innings this season. The 28-year-old left-hander signed a two-year, $3.95 million extension this past winter which covers his final two years of arbitration. His contract also includes a $3.5 million option for 2013 or a $250,000 buyout.

Sean Burnett was charged with his fourth blown save and his second loss after giving up two hits in the seventh inning Monday against the Phillies.

He allowed a runner he inherited from Livan Hernandez to score, tying the game at 4, and then gave up a run of his own. Burnett, an outstanding reliever for the Nationals last year, has struggling mightily over the last five weeks. With Drew Storen having run away with the closer gig, the left-hander no longer looks like a useful fantasy setup man.

Handed his first save opportunity in nearly two weeks, Sean Burnett took the loss Wednesday after giving up four runs in 2/3 of an inning.

That makes two straight blown saves for the left-hander, who took the mound because the Mets were sending up lefties. With Drew Storen looking very comfortable in the ninth inning, Burnett's grip on a shared closer role is slipping.

Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said Wednesday that Sean Burnett and Drew Storen will continue to share save chances.

Burnett has seen most of the ninth inning action to date, but the Nationals obviously want to get Storen -- their "closer of the future" -- used to high pressure situations. Storen has not collected a save yet this season, but he's rocking a cool 1.35 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 6 2/3 innings.

Sean Burnett allowed one run over 1 2/3 innings Tuesday to pick up his third save in Washington's 7-4 win over Philadelphia.

The Nats called on Burnett leading by three with one out in the eighth. Burnett hasn't blown a save this year and owns a 1.35 ERA, so Drew Storen owners hoping for a change in hierarchy are going to have to keep waiting.

Sean Burnett tossed a scoreless 11th inning, giving up one hit and striking out one to pick up his second save of the season in the extra innings win over the Marlins.

Burnett had a second straight uneventful save opportunity, but it's also worth noting that Drew Storen looked terrific in two perfect innings, striking out three while flashing upper 90s heat and a devastating slider. Though Burnett is the closer right now, we still like Storen over the long haul this season.