CINCINNATI -- The Reds want and expect to have All-Star starting pitcher Chase Burns finish the season without being shut down. But Burns' starts the rest of the way won't be as traditional, manager Terry Francona revealed on Monday.
Burns, who earned his 15th win during Sunday's 7-5 Reds victory over the Cubs, will get a full week off before his next scheduled start. He is currently scheduled to open next Monday's series opener vs. the Dodgers in Los Angeles. But going forward, left-hander Brandon Williamson will follow him in games.
“[Williamson] will slot in behind him at some point," Francona said. “That’s to be determined. It’s a Major League game and we’re trying to win. I don’t think you just tell the other team what you’re going to do. I don’t think we actually know. We’re trying to use good judgement.”
Williamson, who has been on the 60-day injured list with left shoulder fatigue, will be activated on Wednesday and make a start vs. the Padres, before returning Monday after Burns on normal rest.
Burns, 23, is 15-3 with a 2.79 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 26 starts and 145 1/3 innings. On July 18, he signed a seven-year, $105 million contract. The right-hander was on board with the club's decision.
“He’s the skipper. He says it and I do it, but I like the plan," Burns said. "I like how we’ve been communicating. We’re doing a great job. The goal is still the same: Go out there and do my thing.”
The No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 Draft, Burns debuted in 2025 with Cincinnati during his first professional season. Including 43 1/3 in the big leagues, he threw 109 1/3 innings.
Burns also missed a month last season with a right flexor strain and finished pitching out of the bullpen. He and the club viewed his finishing this year in the rotation as important.
“I think it’s huge just staying on the routine," Burns said. "This is going to get me ready for future years and I hope to be one of those pitchers that can throw 200 innings in a year, and this is a step in that direction.”
While Burns' workload is being dialed back, there is no expectation that he should lift on the throttle when he comes to actually throwing on the mound. His fastball can still reach 100 mph and is usually coupled with a slider and, occasionally, his changeup.
“We’ll tell him to pitch the exact way he pitches and then we’ll take him out," Francona said.
Burns threw 5 2/3 innings with three runs (two earned) on six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts against Chicago. He said after the game he felt good even this late in the season. On Monday, he resumed his usual arm care.
"I’m definitely a lot more sore now that I was at the start of the season," Burns said. "But maybe [I'll] catch play and not throw so much and stuff like that and minimize some things. All in all, I feel great.”