Arizona fell 9-4 to San Diego in its finale as Philadelphia clinched the final NL Wild Card spot the same day, eliminating the Diamondbacks by two games despite a furious late-season surge that included a sweep of Colorado. It's Arizona's third straight season without a playoff berth.

Lovullo's contract ran out with the end of the season; he said he wants to be "wanted" by the organization but declined to say whether he's seeking a long-term deal. President Derrick Hall has publicly backed him, calling this his best season, though no decision has been announced.

Burnes made just three starts in 2026, finishing with a 7.84 ERA over 10.1 innings, and is now seeking a second opinion on the shoulder inflammation that ended his season.

A 10-7 loss to San Diego on Saturday snapped Arizona's six-game winning streak. The D-backs need a win over the Padres today, plus a Phillies loss to Tampa Bay, to claim the final NL Wild Card spot; the result was not available as of this report.

Catcher Gabriel Moreno (hamstring) is probable for Sunday's finale. Corbin Burnes' shoulder inflammation is expected to keep him out until at least February, ending his season, and five other pitchers are also considered out for an extended period.

Top prospect Demetrio Crisantes, who hit .319 with 5 homers in 35 games at Double-A Amarillo, headlines four Diamondbacks farmhands assigned to the Arizona Fall League.

Burnes' season has totaled just three starts and a 7.84 ERA, derailed by a shoulder issue that follows an earlier teres major strain suffered during his return from Tommy John surgery. He has four years and $140 million remaining on his contract, including a player opt-out after this season he is considered unlikely to exercise.

With Arizona fading from postseason contention and Lovullo in the final year of his contract, club president Derrick Hall said on the record that Lovullo has "done a great job" and called this his best year on the job.

Arizona's first seven batters reached base in a six-run first inning, with Gabriel Moreno and Nolan Arenado both homering in the surge, as Eduardo Rodriguez picked up the win to keep the club's Wild Card hopes alive entering a decisive series at San Diego.

With manager Torey Lovullo in the final guaranteed year of his contract, team president Derrick Hall said 2026 is "probably his best year" and disputed that a playoff berth is the sole criterion for his return, after Lovullo had said he'd "probably" need to make the postseason to keep his job.

Arizona beat Colorado 5-3 behind a two-RBI triple from Corbin Carroll and a 3-for-4 night from Gabriel Moreno, holding their elimination number at 2 in a longshot wild-card push.

Right-hander Ryan Thompson threw a clean inning in a rehab appearance at Double-A Amarillo, a step toward returning to Arizona's bullpen for the stretch run.

With Arizona clinging to its Wild Card hopes (4.0 GB), the health of the rotation is existential -- Burnes was brought back specifically to bolster the stretch run, and his struggles directly affect Arizona's remaining games, including a scheduled start against San Diego, the team Arizona is chasing for the final WC spot. - Burnes failed to get out of the 3rd inning Sunday (Sept 20) vs. NYY, allowing 4 runs on 3 home runs; bullpen threw 6.1 scoreless innings to secure the win. - Three starts into his return from Tommy John surgery (plus an earlier shoulder setback), Burnes' cutter dropped fr

Lovullo is in the final year of his contract; his on-record comments frame the stakes of Arizona's remaining games not just for the playoff race but for the manager's own future. - Lovullo is in his 10th year with the club and the final year of his contract; Arizona has made the postseason twice in the previous nine seasons. - Lovullo told Arizona Sports' Burns & Gambo he "probably" needs to reach the postseason to earn more time as manager. - As of that report (Sept 18), Arizona trailed San Diego by 4 games for the final NL Wild Card spot with 9 games left.