Corbin Burnes remains confident he can pitch this season for Diamondbacks

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks ace starting pitcher Corbin Burnes is not letting his latest setback end his pursuit to pitch this season.

Burnes, who underwent Tommy John surgery last June, was days away from starting his rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League before finding out he suffered a teres major strain in his right lat earlier this week.

The four-time All-Star, who signed the most lucrative contract in franchise history, has been shut down from throwing without a clear return date, but he promised to do what he could to “push the envelope.”

“Literally, tomorrow I was supposed to go out on a rehab assignment,” Burnes said. “So it’s tough to have put in work for 11 months, and you’re a little over a month away from being back. It’s tough. … I’ve got to listen to the training staff as much as I can. And I think there’s definitely a goal to be back for at least September, if not more. So that’s going to kind of be the goal.”

Burnes faced live hitters at Salt River Fields on Friday and said he felt a little tightness on two pitches. He thought it was a cramp, not something he considered alarming and could even pitch through if needed. After playing catch a couple times before his next live batting practice session on Tuesday, he received imaging just to make sure nothing more sinister was afoot.

“I think it kind of shocked everyone,” Burnes said of the diagnosis.

Corbin Burnes said he was set to start a rehab assignment in the complex league tomorrow before his lat strain.

He is remaining positive that he will be back this season.

“Whatever the timeline is, I’ll make sure it’s on the short end of that.” pic.twitter.com/JKeggecOCT

— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) June 4, 2026

The plan was for Burnes to throw a couple games in the Arizona Complex League before getting out to an affiliate. He was going to pitch in six or seven games before returning to the Diamondbacks’ rotation in July.

Burnes addressed the logical question of whether he pushed too hard in his return from Tommy John surgery, setting an aggressive goal of being reinstated around the All-Star break. He did not think A led to B, necessarily.

“I think it’s more just the time we had off from competitive action, and the minute I got a hitter in the box, the intensity kind of crept up and the tissues just weren’t ready for it,” Burnes said, noting that his elbow has felt great.

Next steps for Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks

As for what will come next, Burnes will have to wait until he is asymptomatic before throwing again, which means he will need clean imaging.

He already asked to undergo another MRI on Friday and the next day and the day after that, even though he describes himself as claustrophobic.

Burnes has been around the team during homestands to try to stay connected, throwing bullpens at Chase Field when he can, but the injury rehab process can be an isolating aspect of the game.

“It sucks. It’s one of those things you want to be a part of this team. I get in here as much as I can to be a part of the team,” Burnes said. “But unless you’re out on the mound contributing to the team, it’s tough to actually feel like you’re doing anything.”

Burnes had never suffered a pitching injury before he walked off the mound at Chase Field last season, 11 starts into his D-backs tenure.

His six-year contract contains an opt-out after this season, and Burnes said he had not yet thought about that.

Manager Torey Lovullo said while there is no certainty, he knows Burnes will work to get back before the end of the season.

“It would be amazing,” Lovullo said. “I, in my own personal opinion, wouldn’t be surprised if he does make it back at some point before this year is over.”

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