For the past half-decade, consistency and durability have been the trademarks of Corbin Burnes’ career. Since capturing the 2021 National League Cy Young Award, Burnes has been a mainstay atop any “best pitcher in baseball” conversation. He’s thrown over 190 innings the last three full seasons, with totals of 202.0, 193.2, and 194.1 from 2022 to 2024. In today’s climate of shortened starts and tightly managed workloads, Burnes' reliability has made him one of the few remaining workhorses in the modern game.
That’s why Wednesday’s news surprised the D-backs fanbase. According to The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro, the Diamondbacks plan to scratch Burnes from his next scheduled start due to right shoulder inflammation. Manager Torey Lovullo downplayed the concern, calling it “a little bit” of inflammation and expressing hope that the 30-year-old right-hander would miss only one start. Burnes recently underwent an MRI, which revealed no structural damage — just irritation. Still, any mention of shoulder discomfort in a starting pitcher should be enough to raise alarms.
Diamondbacks can’t afford to rush Corbin Burnes back from injury
Shoulder inflammation can sideline pitchers for a few days or a few months, depending on the severity and how it’s managed. In the best-case scenario, Burnes rests for a week or two and returns to the mound without any lingering effects. But there’s a fine line between resilience and recklessness. Burnes is notoriously competitive and has built a reputation as a true “iron man” in an era of five-inning outings. That mindset, while admirable, could work against him if he rushes back to the mound.
Recent history offers cautionary tales. Walker Buehler, Reynaldo López, and Sixto Sánchez are just a few names on the long list of pitchers who have dealt with recurring shoulder issues. The common thread? Velocity dips, command issues, and underwhelming returns when rushing back too soon.
Unfortunately, we’re already seeing signs of that with Burnes. Through his first handful of starts in 2025, Burnes has shown flashes of dominance, but the underlying numbers are concerning. His strikeout rate has dipped to a career low of 20%. While his walk rate has spiked to 12.1%, nearly double last season’s figure. Burnes hasn’t posted a walk rate north of 10% since 2020. The command issues and diminished whiff rate suggest the shoulder may have been barking for longer than anyone was letting on.
If Burnes is indeed feeling the effects of this nagging injury, the Diamondbacks must tread carefully. Arizona is built to contend, and their path to a deep postseason run hinges heavily on Burnes anchoring the rotation. That won’t happen unless he’s healthy. It’s not just about being available, but being truly effective.
For now, the team and fans alike are left holding their breath. Burnes may only miss one start. Or this could be the beginning of something more complicated. How Arizona navigates this early adversity could set the tone for the rest of the season.