A.J.

Burnett

Burnett will then join the Marlins on Saturday and likely come off the DL Wed. April 9 to make his first start. He’s a classic case of a high-risk, high-reward fantasy player this season.

It was never a practical suggestion, and even less so after the Marlins lost Tuesday. The team will wait to see the status of A.J. Burnett’s elbow and the playoff picture before deciding who will pitch Monday.

An MRI showed nothing wrong structurally with Burnett’s elbow, but he sounds a little spooked and may choose to keep himself out.

This one is about reward -- Burnett for fighting through elbow pain, Valdez for how he stepped right in for Brad Penny upon coming to Florida, and Pavano for his excellent season.

Burnett will face Marlin minor leaguers at the spring training complex. It’s still hoped he can return and start on Wednesday.

He should be fully recovered in time for next season and will one of the better fantasy choices in the National League.

Burnett said he expects to be held to 80 or 85 pitches. He’ll be activated from the DL later today.

The Marlins are also interested in Tim Hudson, so maybe some sort of three-team deal will be attempted. Burnett is eligible for free agency after next season.

The Yankees would have to throw in a lot of cash to make this one work. Burnett is at least as good of a bet as Vazquez for next year, so the only reason the Marlins would make the swap is if they thought it would save them some money over the next few years. If the trade happens, Burnett might then be moved on to Arizona in a Randy Johnson trade.

Mike Mordecai, Abraham Nuñez, Damion Easley and Lenny Harris combined for a pair of hits as Burnett looked ''dominating.’' He will throw again Saturday before starting an extended spring training game Tuesday afternoon. His first rehab start will come May 23, and he could join the Marlins’ rotation in early June.