The Associated Press

MIAMI - Florida Marlins right-hander A.J. Burnett won't pitch again this season, and he might miss next season as well.

Burnett underwent reconstructive surgery Tuesday after renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews found the ulnar collateral ligament in Burnett's throwing arm fully torn. A full recovery is expected, but it's projected to take 12 to 18 months.

The surgery in Birmingham, Ala., took less than 90 minutes. Burnett will likely return Wednesday to South Florida to begin a long, arduous rehabilitation.

With Burnett in Birmingham were his father, Bill, and his agent, Darek Braunecker.

"A.J. has been a warrior through this," Braunecker said. "If there are emotions, he's not showing them. He held his head up high and understands that, unfortunately, this is part of the profession."

Burnett, whose 97-mph fastball helped him lead the major leagues last year with five shutouts, felt pain in his elbow following a start Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

It was the third time since August that elbow trouble sent him to the disabled list.

Burnett, 26, was 0-2 in four starts this season with a 4.70 ERA.

RED SOX: Boston activated left-handed reliever Alan Embree from the disabled list. Embree missed 17 games with shoulder tendinitis.

BREWERS: Reliever Valerio De Los Santos was put on the 15-day disabled list with tendinitis in his left shoulder.

ATHLETICS: Outfielder Jermaine Dye had surgery to remove floating cartilage in his right knee. He should need three to five weeks to recover.

DEVIL RAYS: First baseman Travis Lee, out since straining a right oblique muscle April 13, was activated from the disabled list.

YANKEES: Reliever Mariano Rivera, sidelined since spring training by an injured groin, was activated Tuesday.

• Shortstop Derek Jeter, out with a dislocated left shoulder, hopes to rejoin the Yankees by May 13. He started swinging off a tee Monday and hopes to take batting practice this weekend.

RANGERS: Right-hander Chan Ho Park, who has a strained back, was put on the 15-day disabled list.

BLUE JAYS: The Blue Jays sold out Tuesday's game against Texas after offering $1 tickets in an effort to show Toronto remains vibrant despite SARS. The sellout was announced before the World Health Organization lifted its warning against nonessential travel to Toronto, saying it was satisfied with local measures to stop the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome.

CARDINALS: First baseman Tino Martinez's four-game suspension for punching Arizona pitcher Miguel Batista was reduced by a game on the condition he begin serving it immediately. He'll miss the three-game series with the Mets that began Tuesday.TWINS: Minnesota placed utility infielder Denny Hocking, who has been sidelined by a bone spur in his left elbow, on the 15-day disabled list.