PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks’ starting pitcher Corbin Burnes was removed from the game against the Washington Nationals on Sunday due to discomfort in his right elbow, after throwing just 70 pitches.
Following the Diamondbacks’ 3-1 victory, manager Torey Lovullo announced that Burnes is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Monday to assess the extent of the injury.
At the time Burnes left the game, Arizona was ahead 3-0 during the top of the fifth inning. The injury occurred after Burnes gave up a two-out single to CJ Abrams. After the hit, Burnes gestured towards the dugout in frustration and signaled for assistance. Jalen Beeks stepped in as Burnes’ replacement and conceded an RBI single before securing the final out of the inning.
Burnes completed the game having allowed one run with four hits over 4 2/3 innings. He recorded six strikeouts and allowed just one walk. Currently, Burnes holds a 3-2 record and a 2.66 ERA over 11 starts this season.
Burnes was signed by Arizona to a substantial six-year, $210 million contract prior to the start of the season. Although he has performed strongly when on the mound, the team has been plagued by a series of pitching injuries. Jordan Montgomery is sidelined for the season due to Tommy John surgery, Eduardo Rodríguez is dealing with a shoulder injury, and reliever A.J. Puk is on the injured list with elbow issues.
Notably, Arizona endured a rough patch recently, including allowing 10 runs in the first inning of Saturday’s game and losing nine out of their last ten games.
The 30-year-old Burnes has generally been a reliable presence on the mound, having consistently made at least 28 starts each season since clinching the 2021 National League Cy Young Award with Milwaukee. After spending six seasons with the Brewers, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles before the 2024 season. Burnes joined the Diamondbacks as a free agent following one year with the Orioles.