Corbin Burnes to Face Diamondbacks Sooner Than Anticipated After Orioles Blockbuster Trade

The baseball world was rocked recently by a blockbuster trade sending ace right-hander Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Baltimore Orioles. While the move instantly reshapes the American League East, it also sets the stage for a surprisingly swift reunion with a team that once coveted his talents: the Arizona Diamondbacks.

For D-backs fans and front office alike, the initial reaction to Burnes departing the National League Central was likely a collective sigh of relief.

After all, the former Cy Young winner has historically been a thorn in the side of NL West contenders, showcasing dominant form that would have made him a formidable division rival had he landed with another NL club. Arizona had, in fact, been among the teams rumored to have significant interest in acquiring Burnes, particularly given their ongoing quest to bolster their starting rotation with a true top-of-the-rotation arm.

The idea of not having to face him multiple times a year was certainly appealing.

However, fate, or rather the MLB schedule maker, has a funny way of bringing about unexpected twists. Despite the geographical and league shift, Burnes is slated to make his return to Arizona much sooner than many might have anticipated.

The Baltimore Orioles are scheduled for a three-game series against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field from May 7-9. This means that a pitcher who was once a prime target, and then a potential avoided nemesis, will now be staring down the D-backs lineup within the first two months of the regular season.

The series will be an intriguing early-season test for Arizona.

While the D-backs' rotation has seen promising developments and new additions, facing an elite arm like Burnes, even in the early weeks of the season, offers a benchmark. It also serves as a poignant reminder of the kind of high-end talent Arizona is striving to cultivate and acquire to consistently compete for deep playoff runs.

The prospect of Burnes taking the mound at Chase Field, albeit in an opposing uniform, will undoubtedly add an extra layer of excitement and intensity to what promises to be a captivating mid-week matchup. Get ready, Arizona; the Burnes reunion is almost here!