Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes has not played in a Major League Baseball game in over a year. His last outing came on June 1, 2025, when he threw 4 2/3 innings against the Washington Nationals. Two days later, he was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation.
This inflammation turned into something more serious, as he underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery that same month.
The Diamondbacks were hoping to have the 31-year-old right-hander back in the pitching rotation around the All-Star break this season. However, on Wednesday, MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reported that Burnes suffered a teres strain while recovering and will now likely be out until September.
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Burnes made 11 starts before being injured during the first year of a six-year, $210 million contract he signed with Arizona prior to the 2025 season. In those outings, he was 3-2 with a 2.66 ERA, totaling 63 strikeouts and 26 walks in 64 1/3 innings pitched.
On Thursday, after the news of his injury setback, Burnes made a statement about when he will be back on the mound.
"Arizona Diamondbacks ace Corbin Burnes says he fully expects to return by September after a setback returning from Tommy John surgery," said USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale.
This is a refreshing statement for Diamondbacks fans to hear, as they are hoping to have their star pitcher back sooner rather than later.
Across eight years in the majors with three different teams, Burnes has made 210 appearances, pitching to a 3.15 ERA with 1,114 strikeouts and 280 walks. He's made four All-Star Game appearances and won the National League Cy Young Award in 2021 with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Arizona will continue its season with Burnes on the shelf on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
