Corbin Burnes responds to Zac Gallen starting on Opening Day: ‘Happy for him’
On the other side of the Diamondbacks' decision to start Zac Gallen on Opening Day is Corbin Burnes, who shared his thoughts after a spring start.
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PHOENIX — On the other side of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ decision to start Zac Gallen on Opening Day is Corbin Burnes, who on Friday diplomatically shared his thoughts on the matter following a spring training start.
Burnes threw 74 pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers, after which he expressed being happy for Gallen to represent the club on Day 1 against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.
“I mean, happy for him. Obviously, Zac is the guy who’s been here for the last couple years and done it last couple years,” Burnes said. “I don’t get paid to make that decision, (manager Torey Lovullo) does. So just have to go with it, and roll on. Happy for him. There’s no bad blood, nothing.”
Corbin Burnes’ reaction to the Opening Day decision.
“Happy for him, obviously Zac’s the guy who’s been here the last couple years and done it the last couple years.” pic.twitter.com/mEYshjzept
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) March 22, 2025
Burnes added, “Obviously, (Lovullo’s) known Zac a lot more than he has me, so I understand why it was a tough decision. … As a manager, you got to connect with everyone in the clubhouse. And obviously we’re still working on that relationship and connecting and communicating.”
Lovullo on Thursday commended Burnes’ professionalism after hearing split arguments for why he should pick Gallen or Burnes for the season opener.
Burnes started on Opening Day for three straight years before joining Arizona over the offseason on a six-year, $210 million deal.
“He’s a very process-oriented guy,” Lovullo said. “He took it like I would expect.”
When Burnes makes his regular season debut is to be announced. The D-backs have a four-game set against Chicago before heading off to the Bronx to face the New York Yankees.
“We’re still working through all that, so we’re going to see it through Corbin’s eyes,” Lovullo said. “We’re going to do what’s best for him, and we’ll get that all kind of ironed out.”
As for the outing on Friday, Burnes had an odd day considering he only recorded eight outs with nearly 75 pitches. He allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits, while the defense (including his own) had a subpar evening.
Overall, the right-hander felt he spun the ball well but just did not have the right command with his cutter. He also tried to give his sinker some extra run to prepare for the season.
The game lasted nearly four hours as the Diamondbacks racked up 18 hits in a 16-9 win. Ketel Marte went 4-for-4 with four RBIs.
CLEAR THOSE BASES 😤 pic.twitter.com/E2Pl5rkXi6
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 22, 2025
Pavin Smith leaves with wrist issue
Diamondbacks first baseman Pavin Smith exited Friday’s game prematurely with a right wrist contusion, the club announced.
Lovullo said the issue popped up in the third inning on an awkward play when Burnes made a jump throw from foul ground. Brewers infielder Oliver Dunn ran into Smith’s glove while hustling down the line.
“At this point, day to day, so we’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Lovullo said. “There are no plans right now to get any imaging.”
Smith is expected to take on a bigger role this year in the wake of Joc Pederson’s free agency departure to the Texas Rangers. He slots in as the designated hitter against right-handed pitchers after he worked an .896 OPS with nine home runs in 60 games last year.
Smith got off to a slow start this spring but has since heated up, batting .379 with a couple home runs and even a triple in 12 games in March.
Blaze Alexander update
Lovullo said infielder Blaze Alexander has started baseball activities, including throwing and hitting off a tee.
He suffered a right oblique strain at the end of February and has been sidelined for much of Cactus League action.
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Comments
3 Comments
Sometimes loyalty gets in the way of good sense.
This is one of those times.
Good answer, but we know the truth. Zac should be pitching game 2. If he needs to be the ace and can't be 2nd, ship him out.
Don't think it makes a whole lot of difference in the grand scheme of the season. #1 or #2, just go pitch on your day and give the offence a chance to win.