The worst news has officially been dealt for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Their ace and their $200 million man in Corbin Burnes is having Tommy John surgery. He will now miss this season and the entirety of the 2026 season. This is a massive blow to their rotation and pitching staff currently and even looking into the 2026 season. This now creates a ripple effect and how they make decisions going forward.

 Burnes Injury Creates Crucial Decisions

This is the worst news that could’ve been dealt for the Diamondbacks. Their rotation sits near the bottom of the league in ERA and that’s despite firing their pitching coach from a season ago. Burnes has been steady, having a 2.92 ERA and being the leader of the rotation. With him being now out of the mix, it allows guys like Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly to step up. They are going to need it.

The Diamondbacks are on the outside looking in and that’s not good. But it’s not time to focus on this season and shift our focus to next season. Because let’s face it, the Diamondbacks have pitching questions as of right now. As for next year, those questions get larger and larger.

Both Gallen and Kelly are free agents after this season. They have both been the 1-2 punch for the Diamondbacks and have done very well for themselves in doing so. But without Burnes for the 2026 season, it now creates for key decisions.

If Burnes was healthy, there is a world where they maybe bring one of those guys back. More likely Gallen considering that Kelly is getting up there in age. However, Gallen is not having the strongest of seasons (5.13 ERA), but is coming off a really nice performance against the Braves. Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, and Eduardo Rodriguez are all locked up so they have at least three they can count on.

But at the end of the day the decision comes down to that they need an ace. Burnes has been every bit of an ace and Gallen was an ace before his arrival. If there was ever a world where they walked away from Gallen, that may not be the case now entering the 2026 season.

Regardless, the Diamondbacks will need pitching and they’ll need at least two arms. Their offense is very much put together and is among the best in the sport today. With pitching truly being the highlight of this upcoming free agency class, the Snakes front office should be looking to spend money and being guys in.

With Burnes they may not have had to. But given his absence and the uncertainty of the futures of Gallen and Kelly, all eyes will be on how they address things going forward.

Godspeed on a recovery Corbin Burnes.