Chase Burns, a young pitcher for the Reds, had a short outing last Friday, tossing just 24 pitches. This is quite a drop from the 68 he threw in his last game. Manager Terry Francona mentioned that this shorter stint was planned due to some limited motion in Burns’ throwing arm earlier that week. “We’re nipping this in the bud right now,” Francona explained.
Although Burns’ ability to pitch is a positive sign, it does raise questions about how he will be managed early in the season. The team’s medical staff is working on a routine to help him maintain his range of motion between starts.
The Reds currently have an open spot in their rotation since ace Hunter Greene is recovering from elbow surgery. Burns appeared to be a frontrunner for the fifth starter role, competing mainly against Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson. Chase Petty and Julian Aguiar were possibilities but have since returned to the minors. This competition is crucial as two of these pitchers will need to step up alongside Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer in the upcoming season.
Burns was highly regarded as the top prospect in the Reds system leading into last season. He impressed many during his June debut against the Yankees, where he struck out eight batters. However, his second start against the Red Sox didn’t go as well, which skewed his overall statistics. Despite this, he had an impressive 35.6% strikeout rate over 43.1 innings. His underlying metrics suggested better performance than his final ERA of 4.57, illustrating the potential he has.
This shortened outing isn’t entirely new for Burns. He previously dealt with a flexor strain that kept him out for about a month last August. After returning, the Reds used him primarily as a reliever, limiting him to a maximum of two innings and 36 pitches per game.
Williamson, another contender, has his own injury history. After undergoing UCL reconstruction, he missed a whole season but made 23 starts in 2023 before facing more arm issues. The Reds traded for Williamson in 2022, adding him to their roster in a deal that sent Eugenio Suárez and Jesse Winker to the Mariners. Even though he doesn’t throw particularly fast, his array of pitches—especially a cutter—has made him effective. Last season, opponents managed just a .179 batting average against this pitch.
Rhett Lowder also had a promising beginning to his career but faced setbacks due to an arm injury. He had an impressive 1.17 ERA over six starts in his first season but landed on the injured list with a forearm strain. He struggled in his initial MLB appearances but showed improvement in his rehab outings, achieving a strikeout rate of 29.7% in Spring Training.
The Reds will need to rely on young talents like Burns and Lowder, especially with Greene out. Their potential for striking out batters is essential for the team as they navigate the challenges of the upcoming season.
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