Reds manager Terry Francona said in an interview on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that Burns (elbow) will resume a throwing program Monday.
Burns landed on the 15-day injured list Friday after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 right flexor strain, but the fact that the rookie has already been cleared to throw backs up the Reds' optimism that the righty is not facing an extended absence. When Burns returns from the IL, he could be deployed in relief, as the Reds have a bevy of other rotation options and also want to manage the 22-year-old's workload.
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Reds' Chase Burns: Out with flexor strain
Rotowire
The Reds placed Burns on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Aug. 12, due to a flexor strain in his right elbow.
Burns last pitched a week ago in Pittsburgh and allowed one run with 10 strikeouts across six innings. He met with manager Terry Francona earlier this week to discuss the rookie's workload restrictions down the stretch, having thrown 100.1 innings so far across all levels in his first professional season. It's unclear if those limitations are related to the injury, but the 22-year-old will be unavailable for at least the next couple weeks, regardless.
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Reds' Chase Burns: Could miss only a couple weeks
Rotowire
Manager Terry Francona said Friday that the "best case" scenario is Burns (elbow) will be on the injured list for only a couple of weeks, and Burns could start throwing again this week, Charlie Clifford of NBC5 Cincinnati reports.
Burns was placed on the injured list Friday morning, retroactive to Aug. 12, with a flexor strain in his throwing elbow. Francona noted that Burns, who will be under a workload restriction for the rest of the 2025 season, was slated to pitch out of the bullpen Wednesday but reported shoulder stiffness. Further evaluation revealed the strain. Team doctors believe Burns avoided serious injury, though. The rookie flamethrower could resume throwing in the coming days and could return before the calendar flips to September.
Reds manager Terry Francona said he met with Burns on Monday to discuss how to handle workload restrictions with the pitcher down the stretch, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
What exactly those workload restrictions will look like is not clear, but with Hunter Greene (groin) rejoining the rotation Wednesday and Nick Lodolo (blister) possibly back next week, Burns could be booted from the Reds' rotation soon. The team doesn't want to completely shut Burns down, so it might have to get creative with his usage. Burns has totaled 100.1 innings this season between the majors and minors after throwing an even 100 last year at Wake Forest. The young righty's next start is tentatively lined up for Friday against the Brewers.
Burns did not factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits and one walk with 10 strikeouts over six innings.
Burns generated 16 whiffs on 97 pitches and was in line for his first career win before the Pirates rallied in the eighth inning. According to the Reds, the 22-year-old became the first major leaguer to record 10 strikeouts in four of his first eight career starts. He'll carry a 5.24 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 57:13 K:BB across 34.1 innings into a home matchup with the Brewers next weekend.
Reds' Chase Burns: Start suspended during first inning
Rotowire
Burns' start against Atlanta on Saturday has been suspended due to inclement weather, Gabe Burns of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Burns tossed one perfect inning before the suspension, striking out two batters.
After a rain delay lasting well over an hour, Burns took the mound in the first inning and mowed down Atlanta in order on 18 pitches. That will likely end up being the extent of his outing, as the contest has been suspended. Though the matchup will resume Sunday afternoon, Burns is unlikely to retake the mound.
Burns (0-3) took the loss Monday against the Dodgers, conceding three runs on six hits and one walk over 5.2 innings with 10 strikeouts.
The rookie right-hander notched his third consecutive double-digit K performance but remains in search of his first win after six starts. Burns generated an astounding 21 whiffs out of his 91 total pitches. After allowing a run in the opening frame, the 22-year-old was steady until the fifth when Shohei Ohtani plated two additional runs on a double. Through 27.1 total innings, Burns sports an ugly 6.26 ERA and 1.54 WHIP; however, he has been unlucky as evidenced by a .400 BABIP against him, as he's pitched to a sterling 3.01 FIP and 45:12 K:BB. Burns currently lines up to make his next start during the MLB Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway against Atlanta this weekend.
