DUNEDIN, Fla. -- The speculation on A.J. Burnett's date of return came to an end on Wednesday, when Toronto announced that the pitcher will be placed on the disabled list and miss two starts.

Burnett, who hasn't pitched in a Spring Training game in nearly two weeks due to a right elbow ailment, is scheduled to pitch for the first time this season when the Blue Jays play the World Series champion White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field on April 16. The way the rotation is set up, Burnett will slide behind staff ace Roy Halladay in the No. 2 hole, where Toronto wanted him to pitch all along.

"To be honest with you, it just happened to fall in that line," Toronto manager John Gibbons. "We thought about bringing him back early, but we didn't want to take a chance of him not being ready -- not giving him enough time."

Reliever Scott Downs will make two starts as the temporary fifth starter while Burnett is on the DL, and Toronto will carry an extra pitcher to fill the open roster spot. The Blue Jays have yet to announce which pitcher will be joining the team.

Burnett, who signed a five-year, $55 million contract with the Jays in December, had scar tissue break off in his elbow during a start against Boston on March 18. The occurrance is common for pitchers who have undergone Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, a procedure that Burnett had done in 2003. Burnett isn't expected to have a similar injury occur in the future, but if it does, it probably wouldn't be for a few years, if at all.

"He's got medical clearance. That's not even a medical issue," Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "It's just a matter of making sure he's comfortable and he's got enough innings underneath him."

On Tuesday, Burnett threw off the mound in the bullpen for the first time since the injury. He said he threw at 80 percent strength and he worked on his fastball, curveball and changeup with no lingering issues.

Toronto plans on having the right-hander pitch in an exhibition game against Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. He'll then go on an every-five-days schedule and make rehabilitation appearances on April 6 and April 11. Gibbons said that Burnett would most likely join the team for the Opening Day ceremonies in Toronto, though.

"I think we're just going to err on the side of caution. I think that's enough time to build his arm back up and make sure he's ready to go," Ricciardi said. "He's got to be ready to pitch in a big-league game, and we think [March 16 is] the date that he's going to be ready to pitch.

"We talked it over with him, but we told him that this would probably be the best way to go," he added. "He wants to be the best that he can be when he's ready to go. I don't think it was a tough decision."

The only possible issue about having Burnett pitch in Chicago is the fact that he may have to throw in colder weather -- not the best scenario for a recovering pitcher. Toronto pitching coach Brad Arnsberg said that wasn't an issue at all, though.

"The cold has never entered my mind," Arnsberg said after Burnett threw off the mound on Tuesday. "Ideally, you would like it 80 degrees and sunny out, but you're not going to get that. Obviously, that day would be somewhat of a concern, but is it a concern right now? Not really."

The only remaining concern deals with which pitcher Toronto might carry while Burnett is on the shelf and Downs is in the rotation. Since Burnett's arm injury isn't expected to be a long-term problem, the team may opt to just call up a pitcher already on the 40-man roster.

Gibbons said that the pitcher selected would be someone who could help fill the vacant long-relief role left with Downs serving as a starter. The most likely options on the roster would probably be Dustin McGowan or Shaun Marcum, both who have experience as relievers and starters.

Gibbons ruled out McGowan, saying that he wants the young pitcher to stay in the Minors and get more innings. When asked about Marcum, though, Gibbons replied by saying, "He'd be an option."

The only thing for certain, though, is that Burnett will be on the disabled list and someone will be called up. Speculation on the latter issue will continue.