Brewers' Burnes suffers pectoral strain during start vs. Mariners

Milwaukee Brewers ace Corbin Burnes left Monday's start against the Seattle Mariners in the sixth inning after suffering a left pectoral strain.

Burnes motioned to the dugout after throwing an 85-mph slider to Julio Rodriguez and was seen pointing at his upper chest. He then left the field accompanied by the team's trainer.

Following the Brewers' 7-3 win, manager Craig Counsell said the team believes the strain is minor, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. While it's possible Burnes could make his next scheduled start, Counsell added that Milwaukee plans to be cautious with their ace and will monitor him over the next few days before deciding.

The Brewers can ill afford to lose Burnes for an extended period given their current rash of pitching injuries. Milwaukee is already without All-Star Brandon Woodruff, who's without a return timetable while recovering from a shoulder injury.

Burnes, the 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner, owns a 4.37 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 17 strikeouts through his first four starts of 2023.