Brewers get great injury update on star pitcher Corbin Burnes

Milwaukee Brewers’ star pitcher Corbin Burnes is expected to take the mound on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

On Tuesday, Brewers manager Craig Counsell had nothing but good news on Corbin Burnes’ recovery. Counsell told Sirius XM, “Corbin threw a bullpen here at our park yesterday, so he’s doing well.” Burnes, who has been on the COVID-19 injured list ever since April 26th, tentatively gets the go-ahead from Counsell to start in Thursday’s game, assuming he stays healthy.

In Burnes’ last game for the Brewers, he recorded his worst start of the season to date, allowing four earned runs in five innings in Milwaukee’s 0-8 loss to the Miami Marlins. His uncharacteristically bad performance that game doesn’t take away from his brilliance this season, though: Burnes boasts a 1.53 ERA, the lowest of his four-year career on the Brewers so far.

Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes expected to start this week against Cardinals

Burnes’ return comes at a convenient time for an underperforming Brewers squad, who have lost six of their last eight games. Following a scorching hot start that made league history, Burnes is enjoying what may be the pinnacle of his career.

After a disappointing season in 2019, Burnes was demoted to the minors, but he’s since improved his game and become one of MLB’s elite starters. In fact, in the last two seasons, Burnes trails only New York’s one-of-a-kind Jacob deGrom and Cleveland’s Cy Young winner Shane Bieber in total value among pitchers.

With Burnes back in the rotation, Milwaukee can resume their plans for a franchise-record fourth straight postseason appearance. The Brewers currently rank ninth in the league for runs allowed, but Burnes’ high-strike dominance should help Milwaukee regain the team’s winning form and place them at the top of the table.