Diamondbacks left-handed reliever A.J. Puk and right-handed starter Corbin Burnes were at Chase Field on Tuesday, April 21, for bullpen sessions, as the two pitchers' rehabilitation from elbow surgeries last year has progressed.
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was able to watch Burnes' session in its entirety, and a couple of pitches from Puk. The two are expected to be ready to come off the 60-day injured list sometime in June, though Burnes could be out a bit longer than Puk.
"He just wants to make sure everything is feeling right, he's duplicating his delivery," Lovullo said of Burnes. "Knows that it's a process and gets frustrated, but it's all normal stuff. It's just good to see him back up there and operate."
Puk and Burnes have thrown four bullpen sessions, Lovullo said. He invited both pitchers to come around the team as much as they can while they work their way back.
"I'm just really looking forward to coming back," Puk said prior to the Diamondbacks' series-opening game against the Chicago White Sox. He had the brace procedure of Tommy John surgery, so his length of time out due to injury is a bit shorter than if he'd had the full operation.
"Just wanted to be around the guys," Puk said. "When they're in town, I'll try to swing by."
Puk said he is recovering well and looks forward to pushing his arm more.
"I'm excited where my body and my arm is at," Puk said. He added that he has 10 bullpen sessions planned.
Michael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a first-inning pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays at Chase Field on April 17, 2026, in Phoenix.Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 17, 2026.Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) bats against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 17, 2026.Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ildemaro Vargas (6) leads off first base as Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) covers the bag during the second inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 17, 2026.Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jose Fernandez (11) bats against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 17, 2026.1 / 5Diamondbacks kick off homestand with 3-game series vs. Blue JaysMichael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a first-inning pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays at Chase Field on April 17, 2026, in Phoenix.1 / 5Diamondbacks kick off homestand with 3-game series vs. Blue JaysMichael Soroka #34 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a first-inning pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays at Chase Field on April 17, 2026, in Phoenix.2 / 5Diamondbacks kick off homestand with 3-game series vs. Blue JaysArizona Diamondbacks pitcher Michael Soroka (34) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 17, 2026.3 / 5Diamondbacks kick off homestand with 3-game series vs. Blue JaysArizona Diamondbacks third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) bats against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 17, 2026.4 / 5Diamondbacks kick off homestand with 3-game series vs. Blue JaysArizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ildemaro Vargas (6) leads off first base as Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) covers the bag during the second inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 17, 2026.5 / 5Diamondbacks kick off homestand with 3-game series vs. Blue JaysArizona Diamondbacks shortstop Jose Fernandez (11) bats against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 17, 2026.Del Castillo loses triple to scoring changeThe Diamondbacks' Adrian Del Castillo had a triple in his statistics from Wednesday, April 15, in Baltimore, his first career major league triple. But a scoring change from Major League Baseball handed down on April 21 changed the play to a three-base fielding error on Orioles left fielder Weston Wilson.
🚨CHANGE 44🚨4/15 @DBacks at @Orioles T3 Adrian Del Castillo reaches on a fielding error by left fielder Weston Wilson, instead of a triple. As a result, Del Castillo loses two RBI and both runs are now unearned to Kyle BradishChange 2 for BAL#DBacks #Birdland pic.twitter.com/pOKH7o7jxB
— MLB Scoring Changes (@ScoringChanges) April 21, 2026
That took the hit away from Del Castillo, and also took away two runs batted in on the play. The play was first ruled an error then changed to a triple shortly thereafter, during the game.
Lovullo said catcher Gabriel Moreno hasn't fully tested his injured left oblique, but he is going to take aggressive swings with a bat. Moreno has been on the 10-day injured list since April 14.
"It feels like it could be a quick turnaround," Lovullo said. "We're hoping for sooner than later."
At Chase Field: Kelly gave up two runs in 5⅓ innings in his first start off the injured list. … He averaged 91.4 mph on his fastball and featured a steady mix of four-seamers, cutters, change-ups and curveballs. … He has faced the White Sox only once in his career, giving up four runs in 7⅓ innings in a start in 2022. … Burke, a third-round pick by the White Sox in 2021 out of Maryland, is in his second full season in the rotation. … He gave up four runs in 5⅓ innings against the Rays in his most recent start. … He averages 94.1 mph with his fastball. His curveball was perhaps his best secondary pitch last year, getting whiffs at a 27.1 percent rate, but this year that rate is down to 4.2 percent. … He threw five innings and gave up two runs, both unearned, against the Diamondbacks in 2025 in his only start against them.
Wednesday, April 22: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0, 1.96) vs. White Sox LHP Anthony Kay (1-0, 2.60).
Thursday, April 23: At Chase Field, 12:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (4-0, 2.78) vs. White Sox RHP Davis Martin (3-1, 2.16).
Saturday, April 25: At Mexico City, 3:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.51) vs. Padres RHP German Marquez (2-1, 3.86).
The White Sox took two of three from the Athletics over the weekend, moving their record to 8-14, good for fourth place in the American League Central. Two years removed from a 121-loss season, the White Sox are far better situated from a talent perspective throughout the organization, but still do not look ready to take that next step forward into contention. They added 1B Munetaka Murakami as a free agent in the offseason and so far it is looking like a shrewd signing. Though rival clubs were apparently concerned by his issues swinging and missing in Japan, Murakami already has eight homers in 22 games. He has a .208/.376/.542 line through 72 at-bats. SS Colson Montgomery, who smacked 21 homers in 71 games as a rookie last year, has five homers this year and a .772 OPS. RHP Davis Martin, who will start the series finale, has been their best starting pitcher, logging a 2.16 ERA through 25 innings.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pitchers Puk, Burnes arrive for rehab bullpen sessions at Chase Field