The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to get their former Cy Young winner back in their rotation.
The D-Backs are reportedly set to have Corbin Burnes make his season debut next week. Veteran Diamondbacks radio host John Gambadoro noted Thursday night that he expects Burnes to take the mound Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals.
I expect Corbin Burnes to make his return to the Diamondbacks rotation on Tuesday in Kansas City.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) September 4, 2026
Burnes has been hard at work in the minors to get back into game shape — the final step in his rehab after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2025. According to AZ Central’s Nick Piecoro, Burnes reportedly threw “43 or 44 pitches” over three scoreless innings against Los Angeles Angels minor leaguers on Thursday and tacked on 8 to 10 more pitches in the bullpen to simulate a fourth inning.
The veteran right-hander reportedly wanted to get at least 50 pitches in so that he “could go 60 to 65” during his next outing, which now figures to be against the Royals. Burnes’ fastball topped out at 93 mph during Thursday’s live action, which is below his career average.
The Diamondbacks, who signed Burnes to a franchise-record contract in 2024, desperately want their ace back amid a heated NL Wild Card race. With Friday’s loss to the Houston Astros, Arizona finds itself a half-game behind the San Diego Padres for the final NL postseason spot.