ATLANTA -- The D-backs placed ace right-hander Corbin Burnes on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation on Tuesday. To take his place on the roster, the club recalled left-hander Tommy Henry from Triple-A Reno.
Burnes was forced to leave the game against the Nationals in the top of the fifth inning on Sunday when he felt tightness in his elbow. Burnes said there was no one pitch that he felt pain on, but he noticed the tightness while getting the first two batters of the fifth out. Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams then came to the plate and the velocity on Burnes' cut fastball was down nearly 3 mph during the at-bat.
After Abrams singled to right field, Burnes immediately waved to the dugout for the trainer to come out. After a brief conversation, a visibly frustrated Burnes walked off the field.
Burnes missed one start this year due to some right shoulder inflammation.
Burnes underwent an MRI, but manager Torey Lovullo said he did not have the results prior to Arizona’s series opener against the Braves on Tuesday.
“[The MRI] is still being read by several doctors,” Lovullo said. “I know he’s on his way to meeting with more doctors in person. That will happen on Thursday in L.A. I did speak to Corbin [on Tuesday]. He seems to be in really good spirits. He’s got an army of people that love him and care for him. We’re just trying to figure out the best game plan. Nothing has been determined at this point.”
Burnes will be getting a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.
“I just think there’s other opinions he wants to get and I totally respect that,” Lovullo said. “I think every pitcher does that in this game. You get a first opinion and you get a second and third opinion. He’s on his way to get a second opinion.”
In the meantime, right-handed pitcher Ryne Nelson will step into Burnes’ spot in the rotation.
Nelson has a 3.43 ERA in 13 games (42 innings), including three starts.
“Thankfully, we have somebody like Ryne Nelson who’s ready to step in and assume that responsibility of being one of our five starters. I think he’s ready for this challenge and this opportunity. He shows us every time he takes the baseball -- no matter what role he’s in -- he’s ready to handle that. We’re excited for him. We’re excited that we have such a capable replacement.”
The Diamondbacks may get left-handed starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez back in the near future. Rodriguez, who went on the injured list on May 15 with left shoulder inflammation, is with the team in Atlanta and is set to throw a bullpen on Wednesday. Rodriguez tallied 4 2/3 innings in a simulated game in the Arizona Complex League on Sunday.
Lovullo did not say when Rodriguez would return to the rotation.
“It’s the world’s worst-kept secret, [Rodriguez] is on the road with us,” Lovullo said. “He’s going to throw a bullpen [Wednesday in Atlanta]. He threw one on Sunday with our pitching coaches. He’s here with us, and when we drop him in the rotation, we’ll keep you posted.”
Rodriguez has a 1-3 record with a 7.05 ERA in nine starts this season.
Henry, who has thrown 2 2/3 innings in one Major League appearance this season, will be used as a reliever.
“Tommy has come in place of Corbin to give us some coverage in the bullpen, and maybe get some big outs along the way with a left-on-left matchup," Lovullo said.