A.J. Burnett’s long day had a positive ending.

The right-hander left Toronto’s 8-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Saturday after throwing only one pitch in the second inning, and the Blue Jays were concerned they might have lost one of their expensive new pitchers before the start of the season.

An MRI, however, showed no damage to his ailing elbow. Burnett probably just will have to wait at least five days before throwing again.

“As a result of the MRI procedure, A.J. will need to wait for the contrast dye to dissipate prior to resuming throwing,” Blue Jays spokesman Jay Stenhouse said. “Both A.J. and the Blue Jays are very pleased by the result.”

Burnett signed a $55 million, five-year contract with the Blue Jays during the offseason after going 12-12 with a 3.44 earned-run average for the Florida Marlins in 2005.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons motioned to the area above and below the inside of his right elbow when describing where Burnett felt discomfort.

“It could be his forearm, and it could be his elbow. We don’t know,” Gibbons said before the test results came back. “He has had that elbow reconstructed in the past, so he knows his body.”

Burnett was a key piece of Toronto’s offseason overhaul.

The Blue Jays also added closer B.J. Ryan for $47 million over five years and traded for slugger Troy Glaus and first baseman Lyle Overbay.

Burnett allowed two runs and three hits on 18 pitches against the Red Sox in Dunedin, Fla.

In Clearwater, Fla., Phillies third baseman David Bell is out indefinitely because of back spasms and might miss the start of the season.

The 33-year-old infielder hasn’t played in a Grapefruit League game this spring. He called off plans to play in a minor-league exhibition game Saturday.

In other spring-training games:

Cardinals 7, Orioles 0

At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Chris Carpenter stretched his scoreless innings streak to 16, allowing two singles in five innings and combining with four St. Louis relievers for the shutout.

Indians 6, Astros 5

At Winter Haven, Fla., Jeff Bagwell had two hits and played first base for the second straight day as he tries to convince the Houston Astros that his right shoulder is strong enough for them to keep him. Bagwell made one underhanded throw after he booted a grounder. He hadn’t played consecutive games before Saturday.

Dodgers 3, Tigers 2

At Lakeland, Fla., Jason Grilli struck out four in four scoreless innings in his first spring start to remain in competition for the fifth spot in the Tigers’ rotation.

Twins 16, Devil Rays 7

At Fort Myers, Fla., Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir walked five and allowed four runs on one hit.

Pirates (ss) 9, Phillies 8, 10 innings

At Clearwater, Fla., Pittsburgh’s Gookie Dawkins hit a solo home run with two outs in the 10th inning.

Pirates (ss) 15, Reds (ss) 5

At Bradenton, Fla., Craig Wilson and Jose Castillo had two-run doubles in Pittsburgh’s 10-run first inning.

Braves (ss) 10, Reds (ss) 6

At Kissimmee, Fla., Jeff Francoeur went 3-for-3 with a homer and five RBIs in his first game with Atlanta since the World Baseball Classic.

Mets (ss) 3, Braves (ss) 2

At Port St. Lucie, Fla., first-round draft pick Mike Pelfrey allowed three hits and one run in four innings in his first pro start for the Mets.

Nationals 10, Mets (ss) 2

At Viera, Fla., Chad Cordero pitched a perfect inning on his 24th birthday, and Washington first baseman Nick Johnson homered.

Yankees 8, Marlins 3

At Jupiter, Fla., New York’s Hideki Matsui hit a three-run homer, and Jaret Wright pitched four solid innings.

White Sox 9, Cubs 3

At Tucson, Ariz., Joe Crede went 4-for-4, and White Sox starter Javier Vazquez allowed six hits and three runs in 41â3 innings. Cubs left-hander Glendon Rusch gave up eight hits and five runs in two innings and took a drive off his right shin in the second inning.

Diamondbacks 6, Rangers 5

At Surprise, Ariz., Texas starter Kevin Millwood gave up four runs and four hits in 42â3 innings in his first spring start.

Angels 9, Rockies 6

At Tucson, Ariz., Los Angeles right-hander Ervin Santana had an RBI single and allowed four runs and 10 hits in five innings.

Padres 8, Brewers 6

At Peoria, Ariz., Dewon Brazelton bolstered his bid to make San Diego’s rotation, allowing one unearned run and two hits in four innings.

Giants 14, Mariners 3

At Scottsdale, Ariz., Jason Ellison went 5-for-5 and scored three runs, and Todd Linden went 3-for-6 and scored four runs for the Giants.