Massive blow for Diamondbacks as Corbin Burnes ruled out with season-ending Tommy John surgery

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been hit with major news. Their star pitcher, Corbin Burnes, will miss the rest of the 2025 season. On Friday, June 6, 2025, manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that Burnes needs Tommy John surgery.

This injury is a big blow to the team’s plans, especially after signing Burnes to the biggest free-agent deal in team history just months ago.

At Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, Torey Lovullo addressed the media on Friday. He said that Corbin Burnes will have Tommy John surgery next week. Renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the operation in Los Angeles, California. Usually taking over a year to recover, this method repairs a torn elbow ligament.

Feeling pain in his right elbow, Corbin Burnes left his start on Sunday, June 1, 2025, against the Washington Nationals. Washington, D.C.'s Nationals Park hosted that game. Following the game, he said that the elbow tightened throughout the excursion. “I didn’t feel a pop or anything like that,” Burnes said that day, “but it didn’t feel normal.”On Monday, June 2, he had an MRI done, then flew to Los Angeles to meet Dr. ElAttrache for another opinion.

The results confirmed that surgery was needed. Burnes has always been a healthy player. Before this, he had not been on the injured list since 2020, when he had a minor oblique injury.Also Read: Arizona Diamondbacks Have Revealed Their City Connect Uniforms And It's A Perfect Blend Of Fashion And Tribute

Corbin Burnes had been in top form this season before getting hurt

Before getting hurt, Corbin Burnes had been pitching at an elite level. In 11 starts this season, he had a 2.66 ERA. Over his last seven starts, that number dropped even lower to 1.67. He had become the most reliable arm in the Arizona rotation.“It stinks because I’ve been throwing the ball really well,” Burnes said after his final outing on June 1. “The stuff was starting to really be where we wanted it to be.”According to MLB.com, the Diamondbacks gave Burnes a six-year, $210 million deal before the season started. This was part of the team’s plan to make a serious push toward winning the World Series.Now, with Burnes out, the rotation will include Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Ryne Nelson. Jordan Montgomery and Blake Walston, two other pitchers, also had Tommy John surgery during spring training in March 2025. Burnes’ recovery could stretch into the 2026 season.