Fresh off contract extension, All-Star Burns ready for second-half debut
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SEATTLE -- Since Chase Burns closed out his first half of the season, there's been a big string of events for the Reds' starting pitcher.
- Burns opted out of pitching in the All-Star Game because of tightness in his right groin. It happened covering home plate on a wild pitch during his July 8 start vs. the Phillies.
- But Burns still attended his first All-Star festivities in Philadelphia, including Tuesday's game, which came on the exact two-year anniversary of when he was the second overall selection by Cincinnati in the 2024 Draft.
- While Burns was in Philadelphia, he and his agent put the finishing touches on a big contract extension.
- On Thursday, Burns agreed to terms on a seven-year, $105 million contract that begins in 2027 and runs through 2033. It was finalized and signed on Saturday.
“It doesn’t feel real yet," Burns said of the contract. "I’m sure here soon, next year and the year after, it will start hitting me. I just like to keep it mellow.”
On Tuesday, Burns will resume his breakout 2026 season when the Reds face the Mariners in the second game of their three-game series. It will be the right-hander's first time pitching against Seattle.
Burns, 23, is 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA in 18 starts with 118 strikeouts in 102 2/3 innings. He has 15 starts where he's allowed two runs or fewer.
His previous start -- against the Phillies at Great American Ball Park -- was not one of those crisper outings. Burns labored for five innings and issued a career-high six walks while giving up three runs and three hits for an 11-5 win.
Cincinnati has a 14-4 record in games when Burns is the starting pitcher.