Cincinnati Reds right-hander Chase Burns has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a groin strain, a move that officially ends his breakout season. The club confirmed the news on Saturday, with manager Terry Francona telling reporters that Burns reported discomfort after his most recent start.
"After his start [Friday], he just came in … and he felt the right groin a little bit," Francona said. "So again, we're being very cautious."
The injury cuts short a year in which Burns established himself as the ace of the Reds pitching staff. He finishes the season with a 15-3 record, a 2.86 ERA and 185 strikeouts across more than 150 innings. That workload marks a significant jump for the 25-year-old, who threw just 43.1 innings in his rookie campaign.
The Reds had been managing Burns' innings carefully down the stretch. He pitched exactly three innings in each of his final three outings, a deliberate step back as the club monitored his workload. Francona suggested that caution was part of a longer plan aimed at removing any innings limits for next season.
"He did a really, really good job," Francona said. "I think it makes sense to not push him for [another] three-inning start. We got him to a point where next year, however he pitches, it's not going to be determined by, 'Oh, we've got to be careful with this.' So that's a really good thing."
Burns earned a significant contract extension during the season and was named an All-Star for the first time. His emergence gave Cincinnati a front-line starter to build around, a bright spot in a year that has otherwise gone sideways for the club.
The Reds enter the final stretch of the regular season with a 72-83 record, last in the NL Central. They were eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, leaving the remaining games to serve as evaluation time for the roster.
For Burns, the early end is frustrating. He dealt with groin issues on both sides throughout the year, and the latest flare-up proved too much to push through.
"Not how I wanted it to end," Burns said. "Both groins kind of got upset this year. Kind of frustrating. Happy with the way the season went, just the growth and experience. Ready to get back next year. I'm excited."
The injury also carries implications for how the Reds approach their offseason. Burns' 185 strikeouts put him among the league leaders in that category, and his 2.86 ERA over a full season's workload suggests the breakout is sustainable. The club's decision to extend him midseason signaled confidence in that trajectory.
The Reds have had to recalibrate their rotation plans around the injury, though the timing softens the blow. With the team out of contention, there is no pressure to rush Burns back or risk further damage. The focus now shifts to getting him healthy for spring training.
Francona's comments point to a broader view of Burns' development. The manager framed the innings management not as a limitation but as an investment in the pitcher's future. By getting Burns past the 150-inning mark without a major breakdown, the Reds believe they have cleared a hurdle that often trips up young arms.
Burns' season stands as one of the few unequivocal successes for Cincinnati this year. His rise from a rookie who threw just over 40 innings to an All-Star ace happened quickly, and the club now has to make sure the next step goes just as smoothly.
The groin strain, while ending his year early, does not appear to be a structural issue. The Reds placed him on the IL as a precaution, and Burns has already indicated he expects to be ready for next season.
"I'm excited," he said.
According to Yahoo Sports.