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In a concerning turn of events for the Arizona Diamondbacks, ace starting pitcher Corbin Burnes left Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals after experiencing discomfort in his right elbow. Burnes will undergo imaging on Monday to determine the severity of the injury, as confirmed by manager Torey Lovullo following the Diamondbacks' 3-1 victory.

Burnes, who felt his elbow tighten progressively until he could no longer continue, opted to play it safe. "It got to the point where the tightness was just too much," Burnes stated. "Didn't feel like we needed to push any farther. Hopefully, it's not bad, but we'll see."

Burnes had been pitching effectively, holding the Nationals scoreless for 4.2 innings. However, after allowing a two-out single to CJ Abrams, it was apparent something was amiss. His cutter's velocity notably dropped into the low 90s mph range, raising concerns.

"It's a gut punch, for sure," said Lovullo, expressing the team's collective worry. "He is tough. He rarely complains about anything. So when you see him wave the trainer and the coaches out there, you're holding your breath."

Lovullo added that they would stay optimistic until the MRI reveals the extent of the injury. "We're gonna remain as optimistic as possible," he said. "If it is the worst-case news, we have guys that are ready to step in and are very capable." Lovullo did acknowledge, though, that he's more than "minimally concerned."

The left-hander Jalen Beeks was swiftly called upon to replace Burnes, allowing the inherited runner to score. Cristian Mena, freshly called up from Triple-A Reno, was also seen warming up in the bullpen. Burnes ended his outing having thrown only 70 pitches, with one earned run tagged to his name.

The bullpen was stellar in its efforts to seal the win. After Beeks, Mena and Shelby Miller kept the Nationals at bay, with Justin Martinez striking out consecutive hitters for a save in the ninth inning.

Despite this setback, Burnes has been in fine form, boasting a 1.71 ERA over his last five starts since returning from shoulder inflammation. His performance has been pivotal for the Diamondbacks, especially since signing a substantial six-year, $210 million contract over the winter.

"If Burnes needs to miss time, the Diamondbacks are set to get Eduardo Rodriguez back off the injured list during the upcoming road trip. Pitcher Ryne Nelson, initially expected to return to a bullpen role, might also see a change in his responsibilities given the situation," Lovullo suggested.

In Sunday's game, the Diamondbacks took an early 3-0 lead, with Eugenio Suarez’s monumental 466-foot home run standing out as the highlight. Despite not managing another hit in the game, the team held on strong defensively.

The Diamondbacks, currently holding a 28-31 record, will have Monday to rest before starting a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves, who sit at a similar 27-31.

This latest development puts the Diamondbacks in a precarious situation, but Lovullo emphasized the team's resilience and readiness to adapt. As fans await Burnes' MRI results, the hope is for positive news so that the star pitcher can rejoin the rotation soon.