Reds will limit Chase Burns' innings as Brandon Williamson returns

After a remarkable 100-pitch performance in a primetime matchup at Wrigley Field on Sunday, August 30, Reds manager Terry Francona announced that rookie pitcher Chase Burns will be granted an innings limit during the final month of the regular season. Burns, who became the first Reds player since Luis Castillo in 2019 to achieve 15 wins in a season, is set to pitch next on Monday, September 7, as the team continues its end-of-season series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Brandon Williamson, who has been sidelined due to shoulder fatigue since April 29, will make his return to the mound for the Reds' climactic series finale against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, September 2. Williamson, who has a 2-3 record with a 6.11 ERA over six starts this season, will follow Burns in each of the All-Star's subsequent starts.

According to Francona, a specific number of pitches or innings for Burns' abbreviated outings have yet to be determined. The 23-year-old has thrown 145 ⅓ innings this season, surpassing his 109 ⅓ innings from 2022 across three minor league stints and 13 big league games. Francona emphasized that the decision to manage Burns' workload will be based on good judgement and a focus on winning the game, rather than adhering to a predetermined pitch count.