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The Arizona Diamondbacks may be one ace away from making real noise in this year's postseason.
Right-hander Corbin Burnes, who underwent Tommy John Surgery in June 2025, is close to a return to the mound for the D-Backs.
The former Cy Young Award winner made just 11 starts in an Arizona uniform before the injury forced him to miss the remainder of last season and all of 2026, up until this point.
Burnes signed a six-year, $210 million contract with the D-Backs after a fantastic season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024, posting a 2.92 ERA while allowing just 7.6 hits per nine innings in 32 starts.
The four-time All-Star is eager to get back on the mound at Chase Field in Arizona.
"But there has been recent progress. Burnes is throwing off a mound now, and he told reporters his expectation is to be back before the end of August," ESPN's Alden Gonzalez wrote.
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An end of August return would be fairly quick for Burnes. You'd have to imagine he will need at least two to three rehab starts in the minors before facing MLB hitters.
"That might be overly optimistic," Gonzalez added. "But he is trending toward a rehab assignment, which is a very positive sign for a D-backs rotation that is also without Zac Gallen, Michael Soroka and Ryne Nelson."
Burnes might not be full strength, but adding a starter of his caliber to Arizona's rotation could make them a tough out in the postseason.
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