Burnett was acquired by the Washington Nationals for cash considerations on August 19, 2016, moving from the Twins' Class-AAA affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings, to the Nationals' affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs. His contract was purchased from Syracuse by the Nationals on September 2, 2016, and he made his first major league appearance since 2014 the following day, coming out of the Nationals' bullpen in a game against the division rival New York Mets at Citi Field. He faced one batter, Curtis Granderson, and retired him on a lineout.
