Diamondbacks’ Burnes Out for Season After Elbow Injury \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star pitcher Corbin Burnes will miss the rest of the season due to upcoming Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old right-hander recently signed a six-year, $210 million deal. Burnes was placed on the injured list after leaving a game with elbow inflammation.
Quick Looks
- Burnes to undergo Tommy John surgery next week
- Right-hander’s debut Diamondbacks season ends after 11 starts
- Posted a 2.66 ERA and 3-2 record before injury
- Signed $210M contract after All-Star year with Orioles
- Manager Lovullo says team will rally around him
Deep Look
In a crushing blow to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2025 campaign, ace right-hander Corbin Burnes will undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his first season with the team far earlier than anticipated. The announcement was made Friday by manager Torey Lovullo, just three days after Burnes was placed on the 15-day injured list due to elbow inflammation. What began as precautionary optimism quickly escalated into one of the season’s most significant injuries, with profound consequences for the team, Burnes, and the broader National League landscape.
Burnes, 30, was signed by Arizona this past offseason to a six-year, $210 million contract—the largest pitching deal in franchise history. The Diamondbacks had envisioned Burnes as their cornerstone starter, a reliable ace who would front their rotation deep into the decade and lead the club back to postseason contention. He lived up to expectations in his brief time on the mound, going 3-2 with a 2.66 ERA across 11 starts, and consistently demonstrating the command, velocity, and poise that made him a perennial All-Star.
But on Sunday, during a game against the Washington Nationals, everything changed. With Arizona leading 3-0 in the fifth inning, Burnes allowed a single to CJ Abrams with two outs. Immediately after the hit, Burnes turned toward the dugout, gestured with his glove, and appeared to yell in visible frustration—an indication that something was wrong. He exited the game after 4 2/3 innings, having allowed one run on four hits, and was later diagnosed with elbow inflammation.
As further evaluations were conducted this week, the initial diagnosis quickly worsened. The injury was revealed to be severe enough to require ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction—commonly known as Tommy John surgery. The operation, which replaces the damaged ligament in the pitching elbow with a tendon harvested from elsewhere in the body, is both common and career-altering for MLB pitchers. Recovery typically takes 12 to 18 months, putting Burnes’ availability for much of the 2026 season in jeopardy as well.
Manager Torey Lovullo addressed the media with a somber tone, acknowledging the loss of one of the league’s top arms. “This is a tough day to get this news,” he said. “But we’ll find a way to rally around him, play hard for him all year long.”
Burnes’ injury is more than just a personal setback—it’s a massive blow to the Diamondbacks’ 2025 ambitions. The team, which had built considerable offseason momentum with Burnes as their centerpiece acquisition, now faces the daunting challenge of navigating the season without their ace. Arizona had banked on Burnes to not only rack up innings and wins but also mentor their younger pitchers and stabilize a rotation that had seen inconsistency in prior years.
Arizona’s front office will now be forced to reassess its strategy. Replacing Burnes’ production internally will be difficult, if not impossible. While younger arms like Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson may be asked to step up, the club may also look to the trade market for a midseason acquisition. With a competitive NL West and postseason aspirations still in play, the pressure on the Diamondbacks’ depth has suddenly increased tenfold.
For Burnes, the surgery marks a critical turning point in what has been a stellar career. Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers, he developed into one of baseball’s most reliable starters, earning three All-Star selections during his tenure there. After being traded to the Baltimore Orioles in early 2024, he earned a fourth All-Star nod and helped solidify Baltimore’s playoff push. His free agency sweepstakes were one of the biggest stories of last offseason, with Arizona winning out in a bid that signaled the team’s commitment to long-term contention.
Tommy John surgery is no longer the career-ending procedure it once was. Many pitchers, including elite-level talents like Justin Verlander, Nathan Eovaldi, and Jacob deGrom, have returned from the surgery to regain—or even exceed—their prior form. Still, every recovery is different, and the physical and mental challenges of rehabilitation are immense. For Burnes, the next year will be about healing, rebuilding, and preparing for a triumphant return.
The injury also raises broader questions about pitcher usage, conditioning, and the strain placed on starting pitchers in modern baseball. Burnes had averaged just under six innings per start and was maintaining elite-level velocity and control. While there were no immediate red flags prior to Sunday’s outing, the sudden nature of elbow injuries among pitchers continues to be a concern across the league. As more teams invest in long-term pitcher contracts, the risks of overuse or hidden wear and tear loom large.
From a business standpoint, Burnes’ absence also alters Arizona’s financial calculus. Though he’ll continue to be paid under his contract, the team will likely explore insurance and luxury tax implications. More importantly, the long-term vision of building a championship-caliber roster around Burnes is now put on pause.
For fans, the loss is equally bitter. Burnes had quickly become a fan favorite in Arizona, seen as a symbol of the team’s commitment to winning and a major piece of their identity moving forward. His absence will be felt not just on the field but in the clubhouse, where his leadership and postseason experience were considered invaluable.
As Burnes prepares for surgery next week, the Diamondbacks will begin adjusting to a harsh new reality—one without their prized offseason acquisition. The team’s ability to remain competitive in a strong National League will hinge on resilience, creative roster management, and perhaps a little luck. Meanwhile, Burnes will shift from ace to patient, fighting to make a full recovery and reclaim his status among baseball’s elite when he eventually returns.
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