After a gutsy 100-pitch primetime effort at Wrigley Field on Sunday, Aug. 30, Chase Burns will be put on an innings limit over the final month of the regular season, Reds manager Terry Francona said.
Burns, the Reds' first 15-game winner since Luis Castillo in 2019, will pitch next on Monday, Sept. 7, when the team continues its end-of-the-season gauntlet against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Brandon Williamson, who has not pitched since April 29, will return from shoulder fatigue and start the Reds' series finale against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, Sept. 2, Francona said. Williamson is 2-3 with a 6.11 ERA over six starts this season.
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After that, Williamson will follow Burns in each of the All-Star's starts moving forward.
"He will slot in behind (Burns) at some point," Francona said.
Francona did not reveal if there is a certain number of pitches or innings they want Burns to pitch in his abbreviated outings down the stretch. The 23-year-old has tossed 145 ⅓ innings this season. Last season, he combined to throw 109 ⅓ innings across three minor league stints and his 13 big league games.
"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 gonna do, and I don't think we actually know," Francona said. "Just try to use good judgement.
"We'll tell him to pitch the exact same way he pitches, and we'll take him out."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds will limit Chase Burns' innings as Brandon Williamson returns
