Angels reliever Sean Burnett’s return hits another snag

TEMPE, Ariz. -- What reliever Sean Burnett hoped would be a significant step forward in his return from elbow surgery Tuesday was more of a stutter step, and maybe a step back.

The left-hander, who had to be shut down during last Friday’s bullpen workout because of elbow discomfort that doctors thought was caused by an arthritis injection, completed Tuesday’s mound session, but it did not go well.

“He’s still not able to get over that hump,” Scioscia said of Burnett, who was limited by elbow problems to 13 appearances last season. “It’s a step forward any time you can get off the mound, but it wasn’t the breakthrough bullpen we were looking for. He wasn’t able to turn the ball loose like he needs to.”

The Angels were hoping Burnett would be a key component to their bullpen because of his ability to get left-handers out, but Burnett will open the season on the disabled list, and his immediate future with the Angels seems clouded.

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