A.J. Burnett is healing faster from a fractured orbital bone than initially expected. He is more likely to return to the Pirates at the front end of the team's eight-to-12 week timetable, perhaps even earlier. "The sooner the better, if you ask me," Burnett said. Burnett said the team's original rehab schedule was a bit conservative, adding it made sense because nobody knew how his eye would react to pitching.