A.J. Burnett is entering the last year of a 5-year, $82.5 million contract. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett says the 2013 season could be his last, but if he does not decide to retire, he’ll only consider returning to Pittsburgh, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Burnett, a 15-year veteran, is entering the final year of a five-year, $82.5 million contract originally signed as a member of the New York Yankees. The 36-year-old was 16-10 with a 3.51 ERA last season after the Pirates traded for him during last year’s spring training.

He told the Post-Gazette he’s happy in Pittsburgh and taking his career one season at a time:

“I enjoy it here and I enjoy these guys,” Burnett, said Thursday after pitching three innings in his final spring training tuneup. “If I was to keep playing, I wouldn’t want it to be anywhere else but Pittsburgh. My wife and I talk about it now and then. But it’s something I’ve got to put on the back burner. I’m just going to concentrate on this season, one start at a time.”

“I know it’s going to come up,” Burnett said. “These guys (teammates) keep getting on me about it. They keep saying, ‘Two more (years)! Two more!’ I don’t know. We’ll see.”

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Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett has returned to spring training with the team eight days after surgery to repair a fractured orbital bone in his face, according to the Associated Press.

Burnett has been cleared to return to workouts, and Saturday he made 50 throws and rode the exercise bike, according to the report.

“The first few (throws) were a little hairy, I’m not going to lie,” Burnett told the AP. “But it went fine. I’ve got a lot of catching up to do. I’m glad to be back down here with the guys.”

The injury occurred on Feb. 29, when he fouled a bunt off his face during a drill.

Recently acquired Pittsburgh Pirates hurler, A.J. Burnett, fouled a ball off of his face while bunting yesterday, and will need surgery to repair an orbital fracture around his right eye, according to the Pittsburgh Pirates official Twitter account.

A.J. Burnett has been diagnosed with an orbital fracture of his right eye…He will undergo surgery tomorrow in Pittsburgh.

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) March 1, 2012

Burnett, who left camp due to the injury, is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow. There is no word on how long he will be out of commission.

Burnett, 34, went 11-11 last season with a 5.14 ERA in 32 starts for the Yankees. It marked the second consecutive season that the right-hander posted an ERA above 5.00, and the fourth year the hurler failed to post a sub 4.00 ERA. The former 18-game-winner, however, has been able to pitch 185 innings-or-more in each of the past four years.

It’s been days since the New York Yankees agreed in principle to trade hurler A.J. Burnett to the Pittsburgh Pirates, but now the deal is finally official, according to Jon Heyman of CBS:

Burnett passed the physical and mlb approved the trade. Done deal.

—
Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) February 19, 2012

The Yankees will receive pitcher Diego Moreno and outfielder Exicardo Cayones in return for Burnett and $20 million to help pay his salary. The deal is likely to be announced Monday.

Burnett, now 35, was disappointing for the Yankees last season, going 11-11 with a 5.15 ERA. He now joins a Pirates rotation that’s likely to include Jeff Karstens, James McDonald, Erik Bedard and Kevin Correia.

The New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates are “on the verge” of deal that would send A.J. Burnett to Pittsburgh, sources have told ESPN.

The Yankees are expected to receive a pair of prospects in return for the former All-Star pitcher, but New York is expected to absorb about $20 million of Burnett’s remaining $33 million he’s owed on his contract. The deal is reportedly pending approval of the commissioner’s office, according to ESPN.

Burnett had been on the trading block for the majority of the winter. The team had also spoke to the Los Angeles Angels about a potential swap for another bloated contract, Bobby Abreu’s, as well as the Cleveland Indians for a potential swap for Travis Hafner. The Yankees are still in search of a full-time designated hitter for next season.

Burnett, 34, went 11-11 last season with a 5.14 ERA in 32 starts for the Yankees. It marked the second consecutive season that the right-hander posted an ERA above 5.00, and the fourth year the hurler failed to post a sub 4.00 ERA. The former 18-game-winner, however, has been able to pitch 185 innings-or-more in each of the past four years.

New York Yankees starter A.J. Burnett passed on the opportunity to be traded to the Los Angeles Angels for Bobby Abreu, according to the New York Daily News.

The Yankees have been trying to trade Burnett for the majority of this offseason. While they are likely going to be unable to shed the majority of his bloated contract, the club is attempting to redistribute the amount of money they owe to a position of need. Abreu, who himself has a large deal, would have served as their everyday designated hitter.

New York has also been speaking with the Pittsburgh Pirates about a potential deal for Burnett. In such a deal, it is likely that the Yankees would eat up a good portion of the $33 million remaining on Burnett’s deal.

Burnett will report to the Yankees training camp this week, unless a deal is struck by Saturday.