Corbin Burnes Set for Tommy John Surgery: What This Means for His Season and the Team

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo recently announced that ace pitcher Corbin Burnes will have Tommy John surgery. This means he will miss the rest of this season, and may not return until 2026.

The shocking news comes after Burnes experienced elbow pain during a game. He called the training staff for help and soon left the field. After consulting with multiple doctors, it was confirmed that he needs surgery. Recovery from Tommy John typically takes 14 to 18 months. So, he is definitely out for 2025, and although there’s a chance he could return late in 2026, that isn’t guaranteed.

Burnes has made a name for himself as one of baseball’s best pitchers. He won the Cy Young Award in 2021 with an impressive 2.43 ERA. He struck out 35.6% of batters that year and delivered solid ground ball rates. Since then, while his strikeouts have dropped, he has still maintained an ERA around 3.00 from 2022 to 2024.

Before this season, Burnes was a prime free agent, expected to land a massive deal. MLB Trade Rumors ranked him as the second-best free agent, behind Juan Soto, predicting a possible $200 million contract. He eventually signed a six-year deal with the Diamondbacks worth $210 million, with part of it deferred.

This investment came as the Diamondbacks tried to bolster their starting rotation. Despite the spending, their pitching staff has struggled. As of now, they find themselves 3.5 games out of a playoff spot, with a 31-31 record. They had high hopes for this season, especially with one of the best lineups in the league, but issues on the mound have put them in a tough position.

In addition to Burnes’ injury, teammate Jordan Montgomery is also out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery himself. Eduardo Rodríguez has faced challenges, with a 7.05 ERA in nine starts. His recent stint on the injured list adds to the Diamondbacks’ pitching woes.

The Diamondbacks will now rely on their remaining rotation, which includes Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, and Ryne Nelson. Kelly has been performing well, but Gallen and Pfaadt have struggled. Nelson is new to a starting role, which complicates matters further.

As this season unfolds, the Diamondbacks will have to find a way to rally without Burnes, navigating injuries while striving to stay in playoff contention.



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