Corbin Burnes predicted to make easy $140 million decision with Diamondbacks

Four-time All-Star starting pitcher and former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes returned to the mound on Tuesday night.

The 31-year-old threw three scoreless innings against the Kansas City Royals after returning from Tommy John Surgery.

Burnes' six-year, $210 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks includes an opt-out after the 2026 season.

However, it's highly unlikely Burnes will decide to hit the open market, writes ESPN's Jeff Passan.

"Burnes returned from Tommy John surgery that had sidelined him for 15 months and threw three scoreless innings Tuesday. He could go the rest of the year without giving up a run and still not opt out of the four years and $140 million left on his deal," Passan wrote.

There's too much guaranteed money on Burnes' current contract for him to consider testing his luck in free agency.

Plus, he has to prove to himself and the Diamondbacks that he can be as effective as he was before Tommy John Surgery.

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Burnes had his first season in Arizona cut short due to the injury. He made 11 starts and posted a 2.66 ERA with just under seven hits allowed per nine innings.

For now, Burnes is on a pitch count limit.

However, he could be stretched out in a few weeks, which would greatly help the D-Backs in the postseason.