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A.J. Burnett 'expected a lot of things to be different' with Phillies

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

When veteran right-hander A.J. Burnett signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies last winter, the 37-year-old believed he was joining a team with a chance to contend for a World Series.

With just two weeks remaining in the regular season, Burnett admitted things didn't work out like he hoped.

"I expected a lot of things to be different," Burnett told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "A lot."

Stuck in last place in the National League East, the Phillies struggled this season to compete with their division's younger, more talented teams en route to a second consecutive losing season. Burnett, meanwhile, continues to stumble through his worst campaign since 2011, suffering his league-leading 17th loss of the season Tuesday night in San Diego.

Burnett's 17 losses are a career-worst for the Arkansas native, who owns a 4.40 ERA (84 ERA+) with a 1.40 WHIP through 32 starts in 2014. Though Burnett holds a $12.75-million player option for 2015, it's unclear if he will return next season. 

"If I can lift my arm up at the end of the season then I might pitch," Burnett said. "We'll see how it goes."

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