Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Corbin Burnes exited Sunday’s game against the Washington Nationals due to soreness in his throwing elbow, raising concerns about his health and recovery prospects. The 30-year-old, who is off to a strong season with a 2.66 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 64.1 innings, left the game after pitching 4.2 innings and giving up one earned run.
Background on Burnes and His Arrival in Arizona
Burnes began his MLB career in 2018 and spent six seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers before a one-year stint with the Baltimore Orioles. This past offseason, he signed a six-year, $210 million contract with the Diamondbacks, hoping for a long-term commitment matching his elite performance level. So far, his first season in Arizona has reflected that confidence with dominant pitching statistics and strong on-field presence.
Incident During Sunday’s Game and Immediate Response
During the fifth inning, after giving up a single to Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, Burnes appeared visibly frustrated as he battled tightness in his elbow. Following a seven-pitch at-bat, he was removed from the game by manager Nick Capra and replaced by left-handed pitcher Jalen Beeks. Observers noted Burnes saying, “My elbow, it’s dead,” after his last pitch, signaling discomfort that interrupted his outing.
MRI Scheduled to Assess Injury Severity
Burnes spoke with reporters after the game, providing a cautious update on his condition. He said,
“It got to the point where the tightness was too much… Hopefully we caught it early and hopefully it’s not too bad, but we’ll see,”
—Corbin Burnes, Pitcher.
The Diamondbacks have scheduled an MRI for Burnes on Monday morning to evaluate the extent of the elbow injury and inform next steps for treatment and recovery.
Upcoming Schedule and Team Outlook
Arizona is set to travel to Atlanta for a three-game series against the Braves beginning Tuesday. The team‘s approach to Burnes’ availability for these games will depend on MRI results and medical advice, with the organization mindful of protecting its key pitcher’s long-term health during the stretch run of the season.