twins/mlb

FORT MYERS, FLA. - Two of Jared Burton's biggest passions are baseball and music. When he's not striking out batters, Burton usually has his acoustic guitar in hand.

"I feel like I have to have music," he said. "I can live life without a television but not without music, I don't think."

If Burton, a nonroster invitee to camp, can find a way to earn a spot in the Twins bullpen, his acoustic guitar will surely be fixture on road trips. Burton, 30, lists Pearl Jam and Led Zeppelin among his preferred listening and plays whenever he can.

"I don't play extensively every day," he said, "but every single day I try to pick it up because there's something about holding it and hearing it make a sound that's relaxing to me. It's almost like a spiritual feeling, at least for me."

While music is part of his routine, his baseball routine has been a little off-key in recent years, which had led him to the Twins.

An eighth-round pick of the A's in 2002 out of Western Carolina, Burton wound up in the 2006 Rule 5 draft, where he was selected by the Reds. His selection was overshadowed that year because Cincinnati also pulled off a deal for Josh Hamilton, who had been selected by the Cubs in the same draft.

Burton debuted with the Reds in 2007 and was 4-2 with a 2.51 ERA in 47 games, quickly becoming a key member of their bullpen. He was 5-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 2008. In 2009, he began dealing with right shoulder fatigue and posted a 4.40 ERA in 53 games.

Then came a trying 2010 season, during which Burton, dealing with sluggishness and fatigue, was diagnosed with a thyroid dysfunction and landed on the disabled list for five weeks. Later that year, he spent three weeks on the disabled list because of a strained left oblique.

"That year was rough," Burton said. "I never felt right."

He took medication to get the thyroid condition under control. He reported to spring training last year ready to put everything behind him.

"I probably had my best spring training ever," Burton said. "It was probably my last spring game when I felt something in my shoulder and ended up having surgery."

He went through rehabilitation, pitched some in the minors and returned to the majors in time to throw 4 2/3 innings for the Reds. The Twins signed him as a free agent on Nov. 14, hoping Burton stays healthy and pitches like he did in 2008. If that happens, the nonroster invite could push for a spot in the bullpen.

"We have all seen that he's got pitches," General Manager Terry Ryan said. "He's a big, strong guy and he's got experience. Unfortunately, the injury bug has hit him, too. That's why we probably were fortunate enough to be able to get him. We'll see what he can do; he certainly has an opportunity here."

Burton's fastball averaged 90.7 miles per hour last season, according to fangraphs.com, but averaged 92.7 in 2007. Burton does rack up a few strikeouts thanks to a changeup he calls "a splangeup," which is a tumbling split-fingered fastball he uses as a changeup.

Matt Maloney has seen Burton at his best. The lefthander was Burton's teammate in Cincinnati and also is trying to fight for a spot on the Twins roster.

"He's thrown the ball well when he's healthy," Maloney said.

Maloney also enjoys delta blues music, owns a guitar and has played with Burton.

"We've played together quite a lot," Maloney said. "He's really good and he's taught me some things. We share some musical interests and we have given each other some bands to listen to. He's definitely a pretty talented guitarist."

Although he's a nonroster pitcher, Twins officials are interested in seeing how Burton does in camp. With 33 pitchers, anyone who's able to make the Twins staff will have earned it.

Now healthy, Burton intends to do just that.

"It has been a little bit of a battle the last two years but it's just the way things go sometimes," he said. "You have to look at it like a speed bump, basically. I've never doubted my ability or preparation, so it's just staying confident and staying healthy in mainly the only key I have."