Cashman not concerned about Burnett's black eye

BALTIMORE - A.J. Burnett's mysterious shiner is not a concern for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman.

How much so? Cashman said he hasn't asked Burnett how he got the black right eye he sported when he pitched against the Orioles on Friday night.

"I haven't asked and I'm not going to," Cashman said. "I'm not worried about shiners. If he's great with a shiner, go get another one. Maybe a couple of other guys on our staff can use one."

Cashman's lighthearted responses to questions about Burnett's mysterious shiner were surprising. But Cashman said the injury - which first appeared on Friday when Burnett showed up at Camden Yards after a day off presumably spent at his home in Monkton, Md. - was not his concern since it didn't affect Burnett on the mound.

Burnett pitched seven innings and allowed three runs and got a no-decision in the Yankees' 4-3 win over the Orioles.

"Should have gotten it earlier," Cashman said. "Pitched real well with it."

Cashman said he was not aware of Burnett's shiner until he saw him on the field Friday. Burnett, after the game, politely declined to say how it occurred. He is married with two sons; one of them accompanied Burnett to the ballpark yesterday and stretched with the team during batting practice.

Said Cashman: "His arm works fine, his legs are fine, he was able to pitch. He could see fine. He had a black eye. It happens."

Burnett's home is in an unincorporated part of Baltimore County, about 30 miles from Camden Yards. The Yankees allowed him to travel home on Wednesday instead of accompanying the team from Tampa after their series with the Rays. The Yankees were off on Thursday.

A spokesman for the Baltimore County Police Department said no incidents were reported Wednesday or Thursday at Burnett's address. What caused the black eye remains a mystery for now, which Cashman says he's OK with.

"There are no secrets in society nowadays," Cashman said. "If there's an ugly side to it, it'll rear its ugly head. I'm not worried about it right now because why bother?"