Diamondbacks’ Corbin Burnes to undergo Tommy John Surgery

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in fourth place in the National League West and 3 1/2 games out of a Wild Card spot. However, the path to the postseason just got tougher.

Corbin Burnes exited the Diamondbacks’ June 1 matchup with the Washington Nationals in the fifth inning with elbow discomfort. He was placed on the injured list with right-elbow inflammation, but now he is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

Burnes signed a six-year, $210 million deal with the Diamondbacks in the offseason. Prior to this season, he had made no less than 28 starts since becoming a full-time starter with the Milwaukee Brewers. This season, he had a 2.66 ERA in 11 starts.

Burnes is one of the best pitchers in baseball. He has made four consecutive All-Star games and won the National League Cy Young Award in 2021. Since 2021, he has a 2.91 ERA and 921 strikeouts. His injury puts more pressure on the Diamondbacks’ rotation, but also changes the outlook for the team at the trade deadline.

Without Burnes, it will be tougher for the Diamondbacks to keep pace, and they could end up being sellers near the deadline. However, if they are still within striking distance of the postseason near the trade deadline, they may be forced to swing a trade for a starter to replace him.

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The trade market will start to take shape over the next few weeks as buyers and sellers become clearer. If the Diamondbacks do become sellers, players like Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Eugenio Suárez could all be on the move.

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