D-Backs' Corbin Burnes to Undergo Season-Ending Tommy John Surgery on Elbow Injury

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes is set to undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery, manager Torey Lovullo said on Friday.

ESPN's Jeff Passan first reported Burnes would undergo surgery.

Burnes exited his start against the Washington Nationals on Sunday after just 4.2 innings due to right elbow tightness.

The four-time All-Star is in the first season of a six-year, $210 million contract that he signed with Arizona in Dec. 2024.

After his early departure against Washington, Burnes explained that the discomfort in his elbow was something that he hadn't experienced before.

“I've never had anything like it before, so I really have nothing to compare it to,” Burnes said, via MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. “My body does a pretty good job of telling me when I need to not do things and when I can push things, and it was telling me not to push it."

He was later placed on the 15-day injured list after having an MRI, with Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo revealing that the right-hander was seeking a second opinion.

Burnes was off to a strong start to his Diamondbacks career, posting a 2.66 ERA and racking up 63 strikeouts in 64.1 innings across 11 starts this year. The 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner has also remained relatively healthy as of late, making at least 32 starts in each of the past three seasons.

His absence will be a tough blow to a Diamondbacks team looking to return to the postseason picture after making a 2023 World Series appearance. Arizona currently sits at No. 4 in the NL West standings with a 31-31 record.

Ryne Nelson should continue to replace Burnes in the Diamondbacks' rotation, and the team could also utilize left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez following his return from the injured list.