Burnes to Pitch in Bridge Game, Delaying Diamondbacks Return
Arizona Diamondbacks ace Corbin Burnes will not rejoin the rotation this week as initially possible. Instead, he will pitch in a Bridge Camp game on Thursday to build his pitch count, after throwing only 17 pitches in his first rehab start. Manager Torey Lovullo downplayed concerns about Burnes' low-90s velocity, noting it's typical for a pitcher returning from injury.
Burnes has not pitched for Arizona since June 1, when his season was halted by an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery. His first rehab outing with Triple-A Reno lasted just two clean innings and 17 pitches, with additional work coming in the bullpen afterward. The decision to add a Bridge Camp start on Thursday stems partly from bullpen concerns, as a shortened major league outing would have forced relievers to cover six or more innings.
The Diamondbacks' pitching staff remains depleted beyond Burnes. Zac Gallen is closer to returning, throwing 60 pitches to live hitters on Friday after a brief rehab appearance, potentially rejoining the rotation around the Kansas City series. Ryne Nelson, who threw 21 pitches to live hitters Tuesday, appears further away and may return as a reliever rather than a starter.
This update could affect Diamondbacks fans and the team's playoff positioning, as the timing of Burnes' return may shape the rotation's effectiveness during a critical late-season stretch. A cautious approach may also influence how other teams handle pitcher rehab timelines, particularly for Tommy John recoveries. The bullpen strain consideration highlights broader roster-management challenges, potentially impacting game outcomes and fan expectations for the season's final weeks.