Corbin Burnes will not opt out, per reports

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 20: Starter Corbin Burnes #39 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Chase Field on September 20, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees 8-4. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Baseball Zone

SEE ALL

Reuters

Baseball-End of World Series sends MLB into high-stakes offseason as lockout looms

Discover daily

Seaver's 300th Victory Came Against the Yankees in 1985

Fighting Irish Wire

Ex-Notre Dame coach now World Series champion with Milwaukee Brewers

What is the story about?

Corbin Burnes will not be opting out of his contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, per reports.

This is one of the least surprising bits of news that we will have this offseason. Burnes signed a 6 year, $210 million deal with the D-Backs after the 2024 season, which included an opt-out after 2026.

Burnes suffered a torn UCL that resulted in him undergoing Tommy John surgery in the middle of the 2025 season. That cost him almost all of 2026 — he ended up pitching 10.1 innings over three starts for

Arizona this season, allowing 9 runs, including 5 home runs, which is kind of impressive, if you think about it.

Burnes, the National League Cy Young Award winner for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021, was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles prior to the 2024 season in exchange for DL Hall and Joey Ortiz. Both Hall and Ortiz were meaningful contributors to the Brewers’ championship team this season.

Burnes is guaranteed $35 million per year for the 2027-30 seasons, although $11 million per year of that is deferred, which reduces the overall value such that it is valued for luxury tax purposes at $32.911 million per year. Given he’s coming off of an injury and given the uncertain labor market this offseason, his declining the opt-out is a no-brainer.