D-Backs’ Corbin Burnes Explains His Latest Injury After Elbow Surgery

BusinessSportsMoneyD-Backs’ Corbin Burnes Explains His Latest Injury After Elbow SurgeryByBarry M. Bloom,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Boomskie on BaseballFollow AuthorJun 04, 2026, 11:37pm EDTD-backs' starter Corbin Burnes walks off the field on June 1, 2025, with an apparent right elbow injury. He had Tommy John surgery a week later. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)Getty ImagesPHOENIX – The chances of seeing D-backs starting pitcher Corbin Burnes on the mound this season just diminished to near slim and none after a strain of the teres major muscle in the rear of his right shoulder.The muscle connects the shoulder blade to the upper arm, and that injury is serious stuff for a pitcher, who relies on fluid movement in that area.Burnes was on the road back from last year’s Tommy John right elbow surgery and was perhaps on too quick a path only 11 months out. The usual prognosis is 12 to 18 months. Burnes underwent the surgery last June 9.Burnes threw off the mound to some batters for the first time last Friday. He said on Thursday during a media conference at Chase Field he felt a twinge in the rear of the shoulder, but no acute pain. “I know I can pitch,” Burnes said when asked by the team doctors and coaches before taking his next throwing session. “But stepping on it for 25 pitches I wasn’t sure. Just for peace of mind. That’s why I asked for images.”“Sure, enough it came back and shocked everyone,” he said. “I had just thrown to some hitters, and the ball came out well.”On the brink of a minor-league rehab assignment, he’s now been shut down again from throwing for an undetermined period and no one knows what the new progression will be. It’s early June. The weeks will turn into months and Burnes will be lucky to get out there to build up again by September.MORE FOR YOUBurnes May Have Come Back Too Soon From SurgeryOf course, he’s determined to make it back as soon as possible, which may have got...