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Corbin Burnes Returns, Leads D-backs to 5-3 Win

9/9/2026

22 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Burnes Returns

Corbin Burnes returned from Tommy John surgery, pitching innings in a 5-3 win over Kansas City Royals.
He allowed two hits, walks and struck out Salvador Pérez with a 93.5 mph cutter.
Burnes threw 57 pitches, 35 strikes, matching manager Mike Lovullo’s 60-65 pitch plan.
Arizona improved to 78-68, winning five of six to keep third Wild Card spot.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a go-ahead RBI triple in the 11th inning.

Summary

Burnes Activated

Arizona activated right-hander Corbin Burnes from the 60-day injured list.
Burnes carries a six-year, $210 million contract after only 11 starts for Arizona.
He will be limited to about four innings and 60-65 pitches per start.
A Teres Major shoulder strain in rehab pushed his return from the All-Star break to September.
Arizona moved Gerardo Carrillo, Kade Strowd, Jose Cabrera between Triple-A Reno and the major league roster.

History

Historical Context

Frank Jobe’s September 25 1974 elbow reconstruction on Dodgers pitcher Tommy John proved the first successful UCL repair, later spawning a procedure that by 2023 had treated 35.3 % of active MLB arms. The Arizona Diamondbacks now rely on that legacy, limiting Corbin Burnes—signed to a $210 million deal—to 60-65 pitches per start after his 2023 Tommy John surgery under manager Mike Lovullo.

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Burnes Returns

Corbin Burnes returned from Tommy John surgery, pitching innings in a 5-3 win over Kansas City Royals.
He allowed two hits, walks and struck out Salvador Pérez with a 93.5 mph cutter.
Burnes threw 57 pitches, 35 strikes, matching manager Mike Lovullo’s 60-65 pitch plan.
Arizona improved to 78-68, winning five of six to keep third Wild Card spot.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a go-ahead RBI triple in the 11th inning.

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