On June 1, Corbin Burnes, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ leading pitcher, suffered a major elbow injury that ended his 2025 season and is expected to impact most of 2026 as well. After undergoing Tommy John surgery, Burnes has provided an honest update on his injury recovery, detailing both the physical challenges and the unexpected positives discovered during this difficult time.

Corbin Burnes Discusses the Reality of His Injury

Burnes described the initial phase of his recovery as restrictive and slow. During the first six weeks post-surgery, he was confined to a brace with only minimal movement allowed for light strengthening and gentle range-of-motion exercises. This phase was mentally demanding as he struggled with the lack of activity.

The first six weeks you’re stuck in the brace. You’re not really doing too much, besides some light strengthening and some range-of-motion stuff,

Burnes explained.

As he progressed beyond this initial period and was freed from the brace, Burnes began feeling more like himself and gradually resumed more normal activities. However, he emphasized the recovery remains a lengthy process of rebuilding strength and conditioning.

Now that we’re out of the brace, you start to feel a little bit more like a human again. I did. You get to do a little more normal stuff, but it’s just a long slow process of slowly getting the strength back and building things back up.

Burnes admitted that acceptance of the timeline hit him shortly before surgery, reshaping his mindset for the long road ahead.

You kind of realize, ‘Alright, it’s going to be a year-long process.’

What Daily Rehab Looks Like for Burnes

The physical rehabilitation Burns undergoes each day requires a significant time commitment. His mornings are filled with three to four hours of rehab work at Salt River Fields alongside other players working through injuries, providing a sense of camaraderie despite the isolation from actual game play.

Rehab’s in the morning, usually three or four hours [at Salt River Fields]. We’ve got quite a few guys in there right now, so it’s good,

Burnes reflected.

It’s good to be around some guys. Unfortunately, we’re not getting to play at all. We’re all in our rehab process, but we still get to hang out, talk about the game, talk about baseball, talk about life in general. I’m not completely separated from everyone, but definitely a little bit different.

While Burnes is sidelined, his perspective on the game has evolved. Without the routine of preparing for every start, he has engaged with baseball differently, observing games from the sidelines and gaining new insights.

I’m watching [the games] a lot. It’s one of those things that I think I’m seeing the game differently now that I’m not getting to play. I’m not preparing for my starts every five days,

Burnes noted.

When you’re in the dugout, in between starts, you’re still thinking about the team. You’re watching a video on the team. So now… you learn some different things about the game that you normally wouldn’t see while you’re in it.

The Unexpected Positives of Home and Family Time

Despite the hardships, Burnes appreciates the silver lining of spending extra time at home, an opportunity rarely available during an active season. Fellow pitchers have reached out to offer advice and encouragement, emphasizing the importance of embracing this period away from competition.

The main thing I got is, ‘Hey, enjoy the time you have at home because it’s something you don’t really ever get to do in the middle of your career,’

he shared.

So definitely taking it with stride and enjoying the family time at home, for sure.

Burnes, known as a devoted family man, has cherished moments with his son and twin daughters, finding comfort in his role as a father despite missing the camaraderie and competition with teammates.

I think my son’s loving me being home. My girls just turned one a couple weeks ago. So getting to do some things that I normally wouldn’t get to do as a dad at this point in the season.

My wife enjoys me being home and getting to help out a lot more, but definitely miss being away from the guys and competing,

Burnes added.

The Road Ahead for Burnes and the Diamondbacks

With Burnes sidelined, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitching rotation faces significant adjustment challenges. His injury and recovery serve as a stark reminder of the physical tolls of professional baseball and the resilience required to overcome them. As Burnes continues his arduous year-long rehab at Salt River Fields, he remains committed to regaining strength and returning to the mound.

His candid updates not only offer fans a rare look at an elite athlete’s recovery journey but also underscore the value of patience, mental fortitude, and support during long-term injuries. Burnes’s engagement with the team and his evolving understanding of the game from the sidelines hint at a more mature perspective he will bring back to play after recovery.