Corbin Burnes’ Diamondbacks return will have to wait another week

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks ace pitcher Corbin Burnes will throw in a Bridge League game on Thursday, thus eliminating the chance he makes his long-awaited return from the injured list this week or weekend.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Burnes pitching for the Diamondbacks in Houston this upcoming weekend had been discussed, but the organization has opted to build him up for one more rehab start. He would have only been able to give them three innings and 45 pitches.

Lovullo said it would be a “fair assumption” to think Burnes will be back with the Diamondbacks for his next start after Thursday.

Burnes pitched two 1-2-3 innings for Triple-A Reno on Saturday, needing only 17 pitches before he finished his day getting the pitch count up in the bullpen.

His velocity was down compared to his standard, as his cutter averaged 92.5 mph compared to 94.1 mph, but Lovullo said this was not the reason for pushing him back.

“We’re going to continue to allow Corbin to increase that overall pitch count in a setting we can control,” Lovullo said. “And velocity has nothing to do with this. He’s going to go out there and compete. We want to put him in the best situation possible for when he does re-enter our rotation, that he can pitch a little bit deeper into the game and not leave a little bit of a blank spot.

“We have a spot on Wednesday in our rotation that is a little bit of unknown. I want to believe that Jose Cabrera is going to go out there and dial it up. But we might get a little tapped out. We’re going to go into a situation on Friday where Corbin could probably give us 40-50 pitches. We would have to guard him a little bit. And we might get tapped out in back-to-back outings.”

The Diamondbacks have and off day on Thursday and an extra roster spot for the bullpen from September call-ups. Lovullo acknowledged this, but he maintained that the club wants to stretch Burnes out to around 65 pitches before he returns.

Burnes has not pitched since June 1, 2025, due to elbow surgery (internal brace procedure). The four-time All-Star signed a four-year, $210 million deal with Arizona before the 2025 season and has only made 11 starts due to the injury.

Burnes tossed a bullpen on Tuesday at Chase Field.

Ryne Nelson hoping to contribute this year

Pitcher Ryne Nelson (right elbow sprain/strain) faced live hitters for the first time on Tuesday, delivering 21 pitches. He said in the Chase Field clubhouse afterward that everything felt good, and he is hopeful to be able to help the team down the stretch. He has boxes to check off first, however.

“Hopefully go throw at an affiliate here soon,” Nelson said. “It’s been feeling good, so we’ll see how it goes and hopefully get back with the guys as soon as possible.”

Nelson did not have a specific timeline in mind.

“Definitely running out of games, but I think there’s still time for me to come back and have an impact and still help this team,” Nelson said. “Hopefully we’re playing for another month-and-a-half, two months.”

Lovullo added that starting pitcher Zac Gallen (right elbow inflammation) will throw a live batting practice session on Friday to get up to 60 pitches. He would be eligible to come off the 60-day IL for his next start after Friday, if that is what the Diamondbacks decide to do.

What will Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s role be?

The D-backs reinstated outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on Tuesday after he missed six weeks with a strained adductor. Gurriel has come back from three injuries this season and has struggled when healthy, so what role will he fill now that he is back?

“Talked to (Gurriel) about lefty at-bats, left-handed pitchers,” Lovullo said. “That’s where we’re going to focus. We’ve got a nice little situation going with some left-handed hitters that are attacking right-handed pitching. Continue going out there and earning at-bats and getting stronger and getting the reps that he needs.”

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