Diamondbacks Ace Corbin Burnes Leaves Game with Elbow Issue, MRI Scheduled

Arizona Diamondbacks fans are holding their breath as they await the results of Corbin Burnes' MRI exam after the star pitcher exited Sunday's game early due to elbow discomfort. The Diamondbacks' prized offseason acquisition, Burnes was pulled in the fifth inning of the game against the Washington Nationals.

Burnes, signed to a lucrative $210 million deal, has been a pillar of reliability throughout his career, consistently logging a high number of starts each season. His presence at the top of the Diamondbacks' rotation was expected to be a key component of their playoff aspirations.

The right-hander had been dominant through four innings against the Nationals, blanking them with ease. However, after surrendering a single to CJ Abrams with two outs in the fifth, Burnes immediately signaled to the dugout, clearly indicating a problem.

Following the game, Burnes described experiencing a feeling he hadn't encountered before, noting a concerning tightness in his elbow. He also acknowledged a dip in his velocity and a decline in his command of the ball.

"It just started to get tight on me," Burnes explained. Concerned about exacerbating the issue, he made the decision to remove himself from the game proactively, saying he wanted to "shut things down before it got too bad."

The Diamondbacks are undoubtedly hoping for positive news from Monday's MRI. A significant injury to Burnes would be a devastating blow to their pitching staff and their chances of contending in a competitive National League. The team and its fans will be anxiously awaiting the medical report.