The Arizona Diamondbacks are patiently awaiting the return of their ace, Corbin Burnes, after the veteran underwent Tommy John surgery last season.
Burnes signed a massive six-year, $210 million deal with the Diamondbacks last offseason, but only pitched in 11 games before suffering an elbow injury and undergoing the daunting Tommy John surgery. It was the first time since 2021 that Burnes didn’t make 30 starts in a season.
Still, the righty is seemingly right on track to return to the mound around the All-Star break.
“We put an aggressive timeline on it from the get-go,” Burnes said, via Diamondbacks reporter Kyle Odegard. “We were looking at the 12 1/2-, 13-month mark. We’re still on pace with that. I do whatever I can to make it shorter every day. The training staff does a great job of keeping me on track and making sure I don’t push myself too hard. Everything has been good. Anytime I can try to sneak it ahead a little I will, but to this point, still on pace.”
Burnes is the crucial piece of the Diamondbacks roster that’s been overlooked for the last eight months.
Arizona fell out of contention with Burnes on the bench, but when he returns, it will have a starting pitcher who can go toe to toe with any ace in the league. Historically, Burnes is one of the best pitchers in the league, and it’s been that way since the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.
The Diamondbacks need Burnes to stay on schedule if they want a chance to return to the postseason this year.
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