The Arizona Diamondbacks have spent heavily on starting pitchers over the past five and a half years. Owner Ken Kendrick committed about $425 million to four key pitchers: Corbin Burnes, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodríguez, and Madison Bumgarner. Unfortunately, the returns have been poor.
Poor Performance and Injuries
Together, these pitchers have a combined record of 30 wins and 48 losses, a 5.25 ERA, and a negative WAR of -0.4. Two of them have already undergone Tommy John surgery, a serious elbow procedure for pitchers.
The latest setback came on June 1 when Burnes, who signed a $210 million, six-year contract this January, left a game early due to right elbow pain. He now faces Tommy John surgery and may not pitch again until 2027. This is a major blow for the D-backs, who currently hold a 31-34 record.
High Hopes Dashed
Burnes was seen as a safe bet. A four-time All-Star and 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner, he had been healthy and consistent, making at least 28 starts each season for the previous four years.
General Manager Mike Hazen expressed confidence at Burnes’ signing, saying, “I might as well do another job if we’re going to be scared of bringing in a guy of this caliber.” Owner Kendrick added, “We’re stretching the budget. It won’t be the last time.”
For two months, Burnes lived up to expectations with a 3-2 record and a 2.66 ERA before his injury.
A Pattern of Struggles
This string of bad luck follows earlier disappointments. In December 2019, the D-backs signed Bumgarner to an $85 million, five-year deal. Once a star who led the San Francisco Giants to three World Series titles, Bumgarner’s performance declined sharply. He posted a 15-32 record with a 5.23 ERA over three seasons and was released in 2023 after a poor start, costing the team over $30 million.
After a surprising World Series run in 2023, the D-backs signed Montgomery and Rodríguez. Montgomery joined on a $25 million, one-year deal with an option for 2025, and Rodríguez on an $80 million, four-year contract. Both seemed promising.
However, Montgomery struggled with a 6.23 ERA in 2024 before being moved to the bullpen. He then suffered a second Tommy John surgery in spring 2025, ending his season. Rodríguez battled injuries and inconsistency, debuting late in 2024 with a 5.04 ERA and posting a 6.70 ERA through 10 starts this year.
Outlook and Optimism
Despite setbacks, there is still hope. Burnes has four years left on his contract after recovery. Manager Torey Lovullo remains positive: “We’re all with Corbin right now… He’ll be great for the Arizona Diamondbacks, I’m convinced of it.”
The D-backs’ experience highlights the risks of investing heavily in pitchers amid rising injury rates. Unlike wealthier teams like the Dodgers, who can absorb such losses, Arizona’s budget constraints make these setbacks especially costly.
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