Girardi defended Burnett on Sunday morning, hours after television cameras caught the right-hander cursing as he left the mound in the second inning of a 9-4 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.
“A.J.’s not as good at controlling his emotions as some other people,” Girardi said before the series finale against the Twins. “He’s going to wear them on his sleeve. I don’t have a problem with it. Everyone else does. I don’t.”
When Burnett was yanked on Saturday, he turned and could be seen mouthing two curse words. Initially it appeared as though he was speaking to Girardi, but both said after the game that Burnett was directing his anger toward the umpire’s strike zone.
“He’s been nothing but supportive,” Burnett said of Girardi on Saturday night.
It was the second time this month that Burnett has had an outburst upon being pulled from a game. He stormed off the mound on Aug. 3 and pulled his jersey off as he reached the dugout after being relieved in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox with a 13-7 lead.
ANGELS PAY WEAVER
The Los Angeles Angels have scheduled a news conference for Tuesday, when the team is expected to announce it has agreed with pitcher Jered Weaver on a five-year contract.
SI.com first reported that Weaver and the Angels have agreed to a deal worth $85 million.
The 28-year-old Weaver leads the American League with a 2.10 ERA and is 14-6 this season. He started the All-Star game for the AL.
Weaver was on target to become a free agent after the 2012 season.
TABATA SIGNS, TOO
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed outfielder Jose Tabata to an extension through 2016 with three club options that could keep him in Pittsburgh through 2019. Tabata, acquired in a trade deadline deal with the New York Yankees in 2008, is considered one of the cornerstones for the Pirates, who have already surpassed last year’s 57-win total with six weeks to go in the season.
“He’s one of the staples we need to have in place to be a championship organization to win the NL Central in the future,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.
The contract guarantees Tabata $14.75 million through 2016 and includes club options of $6.5 million in 2017, $7.5 million in 2018 and $8.5 million in 2019.
Tabata is batting .271 with four homers, 46 runs scored and 15 stolen bases in 76 games.
SHORT HOPS
The Giants placed closer Brian Wilson on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right elbow and recalled right-hander Steve Edlefsen from Triple-A Fresno. … Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins left the Phillies’ game against the Nationals with a strained right groin. … Peter Moylan will move closer to his return from back surgery today when the Braves pitcher begins an injury rehabilitation assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett. … Top pitching prospect Drew Pomeranz, the key acquisition by the Rockies in the deal that sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland, is out indefinitely after undergoing an emergency appendectomy.
