In Scottsdale, Arizona, the journey back from Tommy John surgery is a test of patience and perseverance, something Diamondbacks' right-hander Corbin Burnes knows all too well. Over the past nine months, he's been steadily working his way back, and this week marked another significant milestone in his recovery.
Burnes recently completed his first two short-box bullpen sessions, with another lined up for Friday. These sessions are crucial steps forward, even if the road ahead remains long.
"I've got another one Friday," Burnes shared. "It's about sticking with the process and building up."
For those unfamiliar, a short-box bullpen session involves the catcher setting up on top of the plate, emphasizing that it's not about max effort. In his initial session, Burnes focused solely on fastballs. By Monday, he was already mixing in curveballs, aiming to incorporate his full arsenal over the coming weeks.
Feeling good during rehab is both a blessing and a challenge for Burnes. The temptation to push harder is ever-present, but he knows the importance of restraint.
"It takes a lot not to fire one off as hard as I can," he admitted. "Trusting the process and keeping the effort at 80 to 85 percent is key."
The timeline for Burnes' return is tentatively set around the All-Star break, though there are opportunities to accelerate that if his progress allows. Patience, however, remains the watchword.
Recovery from Tommy John surgery varies for pitchers, with many noting it takes time to feel fully back to normal. Burnes is focused on one primary goal during his rehab: commanding the baseball.
"When I come back, I need to be at the top of my game," he emphasized. "Commanding the baseball is crucial.
My goal is to return as if I never left, fully confident in my pitch shapes."
In other news, the Diamondbacks have adjusted the start time for Friday’s game against the Brewers from 1:10 p.m. MST to 6:10 p.m. to avoid the scorching daytime temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees.