In a dramatic twist during Sunday’s matchup, Arizona Diamondbacks ace Corbin Burnes exited early with elbow tightness after striking out six Washington Nationals batters over 2/3 innings. Burnes, who signed a six-year, $210 million deal to anchor Arizona’s rotation this season, left the mound after gesturing toward the dugout and mentioning elbow discomfort, raising immediate concerns for the Diamondbacks’ postseason hopes.
The Nationals, meanwhile, saw their four-game winning streak snapped with the 3-1 loss in Phoenix. The defeat leaves Washington at 28-32, sitting third in the NL East. Despite the setback, the Nationals remain competitive, with James Wood leading the club with home runs and Josh Bell heating up at the plate.
Looking ahead, the Nationals kick off a six-game homestand against the surging Chicago Cubs, who currently top the NL Central at 38-22. The Cubs are riding a three-game win streak and boast one of the league’s best collective batting averages (.262). The upcoming series could prove pivotal for both teams’ playoff positioning, especially as the Nationals look to rebound and the Cubs aim to extend their lead atop the division.
Burnes’ injury not only impacts the Diamondbacks but could also shake up the pitching market—a situation the Nationals are watching closely as they seek to bolster their young rotation. With Burnes off the free-agent board, Washington’s front office faces pressure to make a decisive move to stay in the postseason hunt.
