Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes struck out five batters over seven scoreless innings in Saturday's 3-0 home win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The righty allowed five hits and issued two free passes while landing 58 of 91 pitches for strikes (12 whiffs) in his return to the rotation. Burnes had dealt with shoulder inflammation that caused Arizona to skip his last turn, but a cortisone injection had him feeling much better. While the California native has done a good job of limiting damage against him this season (2.95 ERA), he hasn't nearly pitched up to the level that we've come to expect. Burnes is sporting career-highs in hard-hit percentage (50.5%) and average exit velocity (91.0 MPH) while affording batters a .275 xBA thus far. It's encouraging that he pitched well against the Dodgers, but a 5.34 xERA is a cause for concern (4.39 xFIP).

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes (shoulder) said he's still tracking toward a return to the starting rotation on Saturday against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Burnes needs to check one last box with a successful bullpen session on Wednesday. The 30-year-old veteran said he had a cortisone injection last Friday to help him with right-shoulder inflammation that caused the team to skip him from his last start on Monday. Instead, he threw off flat ground on Monday and is apparently feeling much better. Burnes is typically a must-start in fantasy each time he toes the rubber, but this Saturday's outing against the dangerous Dodgers would be a time to fade him if there ever was one. Despite dealing with a shoulder issue last time out, he picked up the win over the Mets last Wednesday by going six innings with one earned run, five walks and three strikeouts.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes (shoulder) threw on flat ground on Monday before the team's series opener at Chase Field against the visiting New York Mets. Burnes then spoke with trainer Ryan DiPanfilo and pitching coach Brian Kaplan, which ended with a fist bump. The D-backs kept the 30-year-old veteran from making his scheduled start on Monday against the Met after he worked his way through right-shoulder fatigue in his last two outings. It sounds as though his throwing session went well on Monday, though, and the team remains optimistic that he won't need to go on the injured list. The four-time All-Star only allowed four runs (two earned) with eight walks and 11 K's in 11 1/3 innings while being less than 100% in his last two starts against the Rays and Mets. Overall, he has a 3.58 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 28 K's in 32 2/3 innings over his first six starts. Burnes is a must-start in fantasy when he's on the mound.UPDATE: Manager Torey Lovullo said that Burnes is still on track to make his next start.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (shoulder) is expected to miss his next scheduled start due to right-shoulder inflammation. The 30-year-old had recently expressed feeling some shoulder fatigue to manager Torey Lovullo, and the team decided to have him skip a start, however, they remain hopeful that the 4x All-Star will not require an injured list stint. Burnes has been solid this season, but has not performed like the ace we've grown accustomed to, pitching to a 3.58 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and a 7.9 percent K-BB% over six starts (32 2/3 IP). Hopefully the extra rest will get him back to form with the Diamondbacks having postseason aspirations.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes pitched well in a 7-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in 10 innings on Thursday. Burnes allowed three runs (one earned) over 5 1/3 innings of work while striking out eight and walking three. He picked up 10 swinging strikes in the start but could not turn that into a win for his team. Burnes has now made five starts for Arizona this season, posting a 0-1 record, 4.05 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts over 26 2/3 innings of work. He will look for his first win of the season in his next start, which is scheduled for Wednesday against the New York Mets.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes allowed four runs on seven hits in his team's 5-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Burnes walked four, struck out three, and hit two batters in his five innings of work. The former fourth-round pick wasn't at his best over the weekend, allowing plenty of loud contact to Washington -- with the Nats' bats registering six hard-hit balls of 99 MPH or greater. He's been unsteady to start 2025, putting together a 5.79 ERA and 1.93 WHIP in his first 9.1 innings. The 30-year-old's walking more batters than usual (14.9%) thus far, but he was better his last time out against the Yankees, albeit in four innings. Burnes will look to rebound in his next start, which is tentatively lined up next weekend against his former team, the Milwaukee Brewers.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes is fitting right in with his new team this spring. The 30-year-old has pitched 13 1/3 innings in Cactus League play and has compiled a 1.35 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, and a 32.7% strikeout rate. While spring sample sizes may not mean much and veterans like Burnes may use their spring outings to work on aspects of their game regardless of outcome, these numbers are never-the-less encouraging. Burnes' strikeout numbers are particularly encouraging for fantasy managers, as his strikeout rate has steadily declined from 2021 on. He was still a high-end fantasy pitcher last season, going 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and a 23.1% strikeout rate in 32 starts and 194 1/3 IP. He offers a high innings floor and strong ERA and WHIP, but a strikeout boost closer to his 28.8% career mark could tip the fantasy scales even more in his favor.

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes is expected to start the team's first spring training game on Friday against the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander is slated to pitch just one inning of work. Burnes was one of the top free agents in the open market and signed a massive six-year $210 million contract with the Diamondbacks earlier in the offseason. Last season in Baltimore, Burnes posted a 2.92 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP across 194 1/3 innings. He tallied strikeouts at a modest 23.1 percent rate but showed strong command with a 6.7 percent walk rate. The right-hander also generated an elite 31.6 percent hard-hit rate and 48.8 percent ground-ball rate, which were both well above the average marks. Given his high workload, fantasy managers should view Burnes as a high-floor SP1 in all formats.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, right-handed pitcher Corbin Burnes turned down more money per year from other suitors when he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier on Saturday. Heyman mentions that the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blue Jays offered Burnes larger contracts than Arizona. However, Burnes opted to sign with the Diamondbacks due to a lower state tax and family arrangements. The 30-year-old pitcher ended up agreeing to a six-year deal worth $210 million with the Diamondbacks that includes an opt out after two seasons. Last summer in Baltimore, Burnes posted a strong 2.92 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP across 194 1/3 innings of work. Despite seeing his strikeout production drop, Burnes remains a high-end starting pitcher heading into 2025 given his stable ratios and ability to make over 30 starts each season.

According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, right-handed pitcher Corbin Burnes has signed a six-year $210 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks have recently begun to make some noise on the market, trading for first baseman Josh Naylor a week ago and are now signing the top pitcher on the market. Last summer in Baltimore, the 30-year-old posted a 2.92 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP across 194 1/3 innings of work en route to finishing fifth in AL Cy Young voting. Under the hood he generated a stellar 31.6% hard-hit rate and a 48.8% ground-ball rate. Before going to Baltimore, Burnes spent the first six seasons of his career in Milwaukee where he won the 2021 NL Cy Young. Even though he strikeout production has slowly declined over his career, Burnes has remained a workhorse as he has logged over 190 innings in each of the past three seasons. The right-hander will now sit as the ace of the Arizona rotation and will be one of the first starting pitchers taken in fantasy drafts this offseason.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand said on MLB Network that free-agent right-hander Corbin Burnes, who is at the top of the free-agent starting pitching market this offseason, is seeking a deal for around $245 million this offseason. The San Francisco Giants reportedly have been very interested in Burnes and even made him an offer, but it wasn't as high as the $245 million he's seeking. It remains to be seen if San Fran will increase their offer. The Toronto Blue Jays are another team mentioned as a suitor for Burnes, but it's unclear if they are willing to take a leap on a seven-year deal for a pitcher. It's also unclear if the Baltimore Orioles would commit that type of money to bring Burnes back. The 30-year-old saw his strikeout rate drop to 23.1% in 2024, but he still had an ERA under 3.00. Regression is likely coming soon, but Burnes could still have a few solid years left as a high-end fantasy starter.

The San Francisco Giants are said to be the "heavy favorites" for landing free-agent pitcher Corbin Burnes. After seeing two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell head to their divisional foe the Dodgers, the Giants are looking for some help behind their current ace Logan Webb. Burnes would certainly be an upgrade over any of their current rotation options as a former Cy Young winner himself (acknowledging that current projected No. 2 starter Robbie Ray has also won the award). The 30-year-old is a four-time All-Star coming off a 15-9 season with a 2.92 ERA (3.55 xFIP), 1.10 WHIP, and a solid 17.0% K-BB%. While it was the first time since his rookie season in which the veteran averaged less than a strikeout per inning, a move to pitcher-friendly Oracle Park should allay any concerns over diminishing rates, especially since his career (and 2024) walk rate is better than average at 7.0%.

The Toronto Blue Jays reportedly have had an in-person meeting with free-agent right-hander Corbin Burnes. The Blue Jays are also in on free-agent outfielder superstar Juan Soto and are looking to make a big splash in free agency yet again this offseason after another disappointing season that finished without a postseason berth. Burnes, 30, is at the top of the free-agent pitching market and turned down a $21.05 million qualifying offer from the Baltimore Orioles, so any team that signs him will be forced to give up draft picks. In 32 starts in his first and potentially only season in Baltimore, Burnes was outstanding, posting a 2.92 ERA, which was seventh-lowest among qualified starters in 2024. Despite being on the wrong side of 30 and with his strikeout rate dropping slightly, Burnes is going to be paid long term like the fantasy ace that he is.

While the Yankees are still considered one of the four serious contenders to sign Juan Soto, they have been making alternative plans in the event they are unable to bring back the superstar outfielder. New York has been said to be interested in shortstop Willy Adames, but could also be willing to spend big on pitching, having recently conducted meetings with star pitchers Max Fried and Corbin Burnes. Left-hander Fried earned his second All-Star nomination in 2024, pitching to a 3.25 ERA (3.33 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with a 15.3% K-BB% in 29 starts. Right-hander Burnes, a Cy Young winner in 2021, made his fourth consecutive All-Star appearance in 2024, posting a 2.92 ERA (3.55 FIP) and a 1.10 WHIP with a 17.0% K-BB% in 32 starts. Either one would fortify a strong rotation that already has former Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, 2x All-Star Carlos Rodon, and 2024 AL Rookie of the Year winner ... [More]

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, free-agent starting pitcher Corbin Burnes is drawing interest from the San Francisco Giants. Feinsand noted that with Blake Snell signing with their rival Los Angeles Dodgers, the Giants are now believed to have "significant interest" in the former Cy Young winner. The 30-year-old is widely considered to be the top starting pitcher available on the market. Last season, in his debut season in Baltimore, Burnes posted a 2.92 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. Under the hood, he boasted an excellent 31.6% hard-hit rate, 6.7% barrel rate, and 48.8% ground ball rate, which are all significantly above the average marks. No matter where Burnes calls home in 2025, fantasy managers should view him as a high-end starting pitcher during draft season.

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel projects free-agent right-hander Corbin Burnes to land a seven-year, $225 million deal ($32.1 million average annual value) on the open market this winter. The 30-year-old veteran is easily the top free-agent pitcher in this year's class with plenty of MLB experience. Interested teams will have to guarantee him at least five years. Burnes has been durable (28 to 33 starts in each of the last four seasons), is an elite strike-thrower, and has a strong strikeout rate with improving velocity. He is widely expected to top $200 million, with Stephen Strasburg's $245 million deal before the 2020 season likely as agent Scott Boras' goal. If Burnes doesn't re-sign with the Baltimore Orioles, they'll receive draft-pick compensation after extending him the $21.05 million qualifying offer on Monday. He's been an All-Star each of the last four seasons.

The Baltimore Orioles extended a $21.05 million qualifying offer to free-agent right-hander Corbin Burnes on Monday, according to sources. Burnes is fully expected to decline the qualifying offer as he searches for a lucrative long-term offer on the open market. If the 30-year-old veteran ends up signing with another team this winter, the Orioles will receive draft-pick compensation. Baltimore acquired him in February from the Milwaukee Brewers, and he went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA (3.55 FIP), a 1.09 WHIP and 181:48 K:BB in 194 1/3 innings over 32 starts in 2024 for his fourth straight All-Star selection. Regardless of where Burnes is pitching in 2025, he should be viewed as a fantasy ace. 2024 broke a string of three straight seasons of 200-plus strikeouts for Burnes.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes was dominant on Friday, striking out eight batters in seven innings during the Orioles' 7-1 win over the Detroit Tigers. Burnes walked three batters but only allowed three hits and allowed no runs while recording his 15th win of the season. This marks Burnes' fifth straight start giving up two earned runs or less, a great sign for the Orioles as Baltimore gets ready for October. The 29-year-old has been fantastic in his first season in Baltimore, posting a 2.95 ERA. He'll be the focal point of Baltimore's rotation as they look for their first postseason series win since 2014. His final scheduled start of the season is set for next Thursday when the Orioles finish a series at Yankee Stadium against the Yankees.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes was handed his sixth loss of the season on Thursday, allowing six runs (five earned) in 5 innings against the Houston Astros. Burnes allowed eight hits and two walks while striking out just two. The 29-year-old now has just one good start in his last four and seems to be fading a bit. His strikeout rate has regressed and in turn he is allowing more contact, leading to more hits and runs as of late. While it's not a major concern, it's fair to worry that the ace pitcher Burnes has been may no longer be who he is. That said, he is still an elite pitcher in fantasy and a must-start every time he goes out.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes allowed eight runs in four innings in Friday night's defeat to the visiting division-rival Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. Burnes was roughed up for 10 hits and three walks on Friday against Boston, but he did at least strike out seven hitters while taking his fifth loss of the year in his disastrous outing for Baltimore. The 29-year-old ace right-hander will look to bounce back in his next time out, still carrying a sturdy 3.10 ERA and 1.11 WHIP while fanning 144 and walking 38 across 153 2/3 frames (25 starts) in his first year with the O's in 2024.