Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo has announced that his ace starting pitcher, who just signed with the team in free agency, will not be appearing again this season.
Corbin Burnes, who inked a six-year, $120million contract with the Diamondbacks in the offseason, will undergo Tommy John surgery and end his 2025 campaign, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Three days ago, the Diamondbacks put Burnes on the 15-day IL with elbow inflammation in his pitching arm.
Burnes had been pulled from his start against the Washington Nationals on June 1 after he gave up a single to CJ Abrams, then gestured to the dugout with his glove, and yelled in frustration.
Lovullo told reporters at the time that his pitcher was seeking a second opinion following an MRI.
Now, the pitcher will go under the knife to get Tommy John for the first time in his eight-year career in the majors.
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes will end his season and undergo Tommy John
Burnes was pulled from his start against the Washington Nationals with elbow discomfort
Burnes had been leading the team’s starters in ERA and WAR while giving up the least runs
Burnes was by far the best pitcher among the Diamondbacks starting rotation and his absence could spell a tragic end to Arizona’s 2025 season that is only in its infancy.
The 30-year-old California native joined the team after starting his career with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles prior to the 2024 season.
This year, Burnes led the team in ERA (2.66) and pitching WAR (2.1).
He had also given up the fewest hits (49), earned runs (19) and home runs (7) among Arizona’s starters.
Burnes is also among the team’s leaders in strikeouts (3rd with 63), wins (4th with three), and has the second-best WHIP among starters.
A four-time All-Star and two-time All-MLB First Team selection, Burnes won the 2021 National League Cy Young Award – given to the NL’s best pitcher. He also led the NL in strikeouts in 2022.
At the time of publishing, the Diamondbacks have a record of 31-31, sitting fourth in the NL West and six-and-a-half games back of the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Arizona also sits three-and-a-half games back from a wild card spot.
