The Arizona Diamondbacks placed right-hander Corbin Burnes on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation on Friday, September 25, 2026. The move sidelines their ace ahead of a crucial series against the San Diego Padres as the club fights for the final National League Wild Card spot.
Burnes was scheduled to start Saturday night’s game at San Diego, but the club announced the transaction on Friday, retroactive to September 22. To fill the roster spot, the organization recalled right-hander José Cabrera from Triple-A Reno.
Rotation Scramble and Wild Card Stakes in San Diego
Managerial decisions for Saturday’s matchup remain unannounced, though the Diamondbacks face an all-hands-on-deck scenario as they chase the Philadelphia Phillies. Sitting two games back of Philadelphia with three games remaining in the regular season, Arizona holds the vital tiebreaker edge. Yet playing without their top-tier rotation arm complicates the final stretch.
To cover Saturday’s innings, the coaching staff could turn to a bullpen day or rely on recently reinstated arms. Right-hander Ryne Nelson, who returned from a flexor strain that sidelined him for nearly three months, stands as a primary candidate to serve as a bulk reliever or short starter. Zac Gallen, who shifted to the bullpen earlier in September following a difficult stretch that ballooned his ERA to 6.12, also represents an option for stretched-out frames.
Meanwhile, the rest of the pitching order is locked in for the final weekend. Brandon Pfaadt took the ball for Friday’s series opener, while Michael Soroka is scheduled to pitch the regular-season finale on Sunday, September 27.
A Difficult Comeback Path Cut Short
The setback caps a frustrating two-year stretch for the former Cy Young winner. Burnes signed a six-year, $210 million contract with Arizona prior to the 2025 season, but made just 11 starts last year before undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2025.
Though he targeted an aggressive return around the 2026 All-Star break, a teres major muscle strain in his right shoulder derailed those rehabilitation plans. Burnes finally made his season debut on September 8, tossing three scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals. However, his velocity steadily declined across subsequent outings, dropping from an average sinker speed of 94.1 mph down to 92.3 mph in his most recent start.
Performance mirrored that physical dip. Over three starts, Burnes surrendered nine earned runs across 10 1/3 innings, yielding five home runs in his past two appearances alone. That stretch included surrendering three homers during a four-batter sequence against the New York Yankees on September 20.
Postseason Outlook and Contract Status Without Burnes
If Arizona manages to secure a postseason berth, the team will have to play October baseball without its high-priced right-hander. Because the 15-day injured list window extends past the start of the Division Series, Burnes cannot return for the opening rounds.
Soroka's assignment on Sunday removes him from consideration for a potential Wild Card round start, potentially forcing the club to lean on Merrill Kelly and his 4.94 ERA. Beyond the immediate games, Burnes holds an opt-out clause in his contract for the end of the season.
