BRADENTON, Fla. — A.J. Burnett was struck in the face by a batted ball yesterday, and will fly from the Pirates’ spring-training complex to Pittsburgh to have his right eye examined by team doctors.

The former Yankees right-hander was injured as he hit during a bunting drill. After the ball hit the temple near his right eye, a dazed Burnett dropped into a crouch near home plate. Players who had gathered to watch the drill gasped loudly then went quiet as Burnett, 35, sagged to his knee. As he was examined by an athletic trainer, he joked, “Where did the bone go?”

Holding a towel against his face, Burnett was helped off the field. The Pirates have released no information regarding the exact nature of Burnett’s injury.

Before the injury, Burnett was expected to be the Pirates’ Opening Day starter.