A.J. Burnett has a strained flexor tendon. Could pitch again this year. - MLB

UPDATE:

AJ Burnett was diagnosed w/a flexor strain in his right elbow today. He received a PRP injection & estimated time of return is approx 4 wks.

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) August 3, 2015

2:43 PM: The news on A.J. Burnett seemed dire as of yesterday: the possibility of a torn UCL and, given his lack of a desire to have surgery, the likely end of his career.

Today things are slightly better. But only slightly.

A.J. Burnett has a strained flexor tendon. UCL is intact. He will undergo treatment in hopes of pitching again this year. #Pirates

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) August 3, 2015

It’s still not a given of course. Lots of guys miss whole seasons with flexor tendon issues and surgery is often an option to address it. Morosi suggests that Burnett could pitch through the pain of it, but of course there’s no guarantee that he can even be effective.

Better than a torn UCL I suppose, though still not fantastic news.

CHICAGO — Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez has a sprained right foot, likely sidelining the slugger for a pivotal season-ending series against the crosstown Cubs.

The White Sox had dropped a season-high five in a row heading into the weekend set, falling out of first place in the AL Central. They are hoping to get back on track heading into their playoff appearance since 2008, but the health of Jimenez is a concern.

Jimenez, who is batting .296 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs, was injured sliding across home in the seventh inning of Chicago’s 5-4 loss at Cleveland on Thursday. Manager Rick Renteria said the 23-year-old left fielder will need “to be off his feet” for a few days.

“There’s inflammation in there and they want to calm it down” Renteria said. “We’ll know more in a few days.”

The White Sox trailed the first-place Twins by a game heading into the series with the Cubs. They are just one ahead of the third-place Indians. The AL postseason begins on Tuesday.