Corbin Burnes, the right-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, showcased his readiness for a return to Major League Baseball during a recent rehab outing on September 3. In a bridge camp game against minor leaguers from the Los Angeles Angels, Burnes managed to pack four innings’ worth of outs into just three innings, a performance that has set the stage for his anticipated comeback next week in Kansas City.
After the game, Burnes expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, "Today, I think, was for me a good last step, if that’s what this is going to be." His outing took place on a backfield near Tempe Diablo Stadium, where he demonstrated his pitching prowess against a lineup of young hitters.
Burnes’ fastball reached speeds of up to 93 mph, and he effectively retired 12 batters during his time on the mound. Notably, he continued pitching after recording the third out in both the second and third innings to increase his pitch count, a strategy that indicates his desire to build endurance.
In terms of performance metrics, Burnes struck out two batters and did not issue any walks. There was some debate about whether he allowed a hit, as a ground ball to third base was ruled an error. Overall, his pitching repertoire appeared sharp, with perhaps three hard-hit balls against him throughout the game.
"Swing and miss on cutters, sinkers, curveball, the slider, changeup -- I think we got a swing and miss on every pitch today, which is good," Burnes noted, emphasizing his focus on command. He added, "For me, the thing is, I want to be able to command the baseball, and we were able to command everything, which is good."
During the game, Burnes threw approximately 43 to 44 pitches, followed by an additional eight to ten in the bullpen to simulate a fourth inning. He remarked, "The mark was to get to 50 at least so we could go 60 to 65 next time," indicating his intention to gradually increase his workload as he prepares for his return.
While the Diamondbacks have yet to formally announce their plans for Burnes, it appears likely that he will take the mound against the Kansas City Royals. "I’m ready," Burnes stated confidently. "We’ll see what happens. I think the indications are that’s what we’re doing, but obviously a lot can happen between now and then. I’ve got to keep putting the work in and see what happens."
Burnes has faced significant challenges in recent years, having not pitched in the majors since June 2025 due to Tommy John surgery. Although he initially aimed to return from the injured list in July, a subsequent shoulder injury delayed his comeback. Currently, he is in the second year of a substantial $210 million contract that the Diamondbacks awarded him in December 2024, underscoring the team's investment in his talent and potential.
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