Corbin Burnes made his highly anticipated debut for the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 1, 2025, at Yankee Stadium, showcasing flashes of brilliance amidst some challenges. The right-hander, who signed a staggering six-year, $210 million contract this past offseason, struck out eight New York Yankees hitters in 4.1 innings but ultimately allowed four runs, two of which were earned, in a game that ended in a 7-5 victory for the Diamondbacks.
Burnes opened his performance with a stellar first inning, retiring the Yankees in order, which included strikeouts of superstars Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger, along with a pop-out from Aaron Judge. His cutter, which he threw 66% of the time during the outing, proved effective early on as he managed to avoid hard contact.
However, trouble struck in the third inning when Yankees rookie Jasson Dominguez blasted a solo home run into the short porch in right field, cutting the Diamondbacks' lead to 2-1. Burnes had a solid start, but the wheels began to come off in the fourth inning. After striking out Jazz Chisholm Jr. to begin the inning, Burnes allowed a second home run to Anthony Volpe on a cutter that caught too much of the plate, tying the game at 2-2.
Burnes faced further adversity when he walked Austin Wells after a grueling 13-pitch at-bat. The inning took a disastrous turn when Oswaldo Cabrera hit a routine grounder to first base. First baseman Josh Naylor's flip to Burnes covering the bag sailed over his head, allowing two runs to score and giving the Yankees a 4-2 lead.
Despite the setbacks, Burnes continued to battle. He returned for the fifth inning, striking out Aaron Judge looking before handing the ball over to reliever Jalen Beeks, who managed to escape the inning without further damage. Burnes finished his debut having thrown 98 pitches, allowing four hits, walking three batters, and striking out eight.
The Diamondbacks, who had struggled offensively through the first seven innings, finally found their rhythm in the eighth inning. Corbin Carroll hit a two-run home run earlier in the game, but it was Eugenio Suarez's grand slam that propelled Arizona ahead for good, securing the 7-5 win despite the rocky outing from their new ace.
Burnes' debut was delayed due to a strategic decision by the Diamondbacks to start Zac Gallen on Opening Day, a choice that disrupted Burnes' usual pitching routine. Nevertheless, he entered the game with a decorated resume, including four All-Star nods, five top-five finishes in the Cy Young voting, and the 2021 National League Cy Young award. Last season with the Baltimore Orioles, Burnes had a stellar 2.92 ERA over 32 starts, leading to a career-high 15 wins.
As the Diamondbacks look to establish their rotation, Burnes' performance is a mixed bag of promise and concern. The Diamondbacks' starting pitchers have collectively allowed 13 earned runs over their first 25 innings, resulting in a 4.68 ERA. While Burnes' strikeout ability is undeniable, the defensive blunders and inconsistency will need to be addressed as the season unfolds.
Looking ahead, the Diamondbacks are set to face the Yankees again with Zac Gallen on the mound. Gallen, who has struggled early in the season, will be looking to bounce back against a formidable Yankees lineup that has been explosive in their opening series, sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers with a combined score of 36-14.
The Yankees have been without two of their key players from last season's World Series run: right fielder Juan Soto, who signed with the crosstown Mets, and right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole, who is recovering from elbow surgery. Nevertheless, the Yankees have witnessed strong performances from Aaron Judge, who has homered four times in the past two games, and Jazz Chisholm Jr., who has also contributed significantly with three home runs.
As the Diamondbacks navigate their early-season challenges, Burnes' debut serves as a reminder of the high expectations placed on him. With a mix of elite talent and room for improvement, the coming games will be crucial for both Burnes and the Diamondbacks as they aim to establish themselves in the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.
