Corbin Burnes to Undergo Tommy John Surgery, Will Miss Rest of Season and Most of 2026

Arizona Diamondbacks' hopes for a deep playoff run have suffered a major blow as star pitcher Corbin Burnes will undergo Tommy John surgery. The announcement, made by manager Torey Lovullo in Cincinnati, means Burnes will miss the remainder of the 2024 season and a significant portion of the 2025 campaign.

The injury occurred during Burnes' recent start, his eleventh of the year. He signaled distress from the mound, indicating a problem with his right elbow. Subsequent MRI and consultation with Dr. Neal ElAttrache confirmed the need for surgery.

Burnes, acquired to anchor the Diamondbacks' pitching staff, had been performing at a high level, posting a 2.66 ERA over 64 ⅓ innings. His absence creates a huge void for a team struggling to find consistency.

Arizona, currently sitting at 31-31, faces an uphill battle to compete in the NL West without their key hurler. They trail the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by 6 1/2 games.

The six-year, $210 million investment in Burnes was intended to elevate the Diamondbacks into contention. The former Cy Young Award winner, who earned the prestigious award with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021, now faces a long road to recovery.

Burnes' consistency and durability have been hallmarks of his career since 2021, regularly delivering quality starts and eating up innings. His absence will force the Diamondbacks to rely on other pitchers and potentially explore trade options to bolster their rotation.