LOS ANGELES – For anyone who wondered what the Chase Burns Workload Management Plan would look like in practice, they needed to look quickly on this late night at Dodger Stadium.
Because it looked like three hitless innings against the two-time defending World Series champion and an early lead that turned into a loss after Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona lifted the young starter after 10 batters and 44 pitches.
“It’s hard to take him out. That’s not a fun thing,” said Francona, who told Burns before the start he’d be limited to three innings in the 27th start of his first full season in the big leagues.
“But it’s the right thing,” he added, “and I know he understands.”
Left-hander Brandon Williamson, who’s just one week removed from another
lengthy stretch on the injured list, took over in the fourth against a lefty-loaded Dodgers lineup, leading 1-0, and eventually was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs – three earned – in 4 1/3 innings.
Burns’ final line: No hits, one walk, five strikeouts and at least a brush of frustration for one of the most competitive pitchers on the staff and likely Opening Day starter in 2026.
“Going three? Yeah, it’s tough, especially when you’re feeling great,”he said. “And I threw a lot of good changeups, a good sinker, and felt like everything was just working, so to end the game (there), it sucks. But fired up for B-Will to piggyback off me and keep going.”
Burns, a 2026 All-Star and the Reds’ first 15-game winner since Luis Castillo in 2019, lowered his season ERA to 2.73.
“I give him credit because he approached it the right way,” said Francona, who didn’t reveal specifics beyond pairing Burns with Williamson when outlining the workload plan the rest of the way.
“He just approached it like it was a regular game, and I told him we’ll get you out; just pitch like you pitch.”
Burns, who said he felt a little more “juiced up” facing Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers in 50,000-strong Dodger Stadium, shrugged off the short leash.
“We’ve talked about it. It’s just better for next year,” he said.
He's expected to pitch three more times this season.
“I feel like the season’s going great,” he said. “I feel like I’ve learned from last year, and the growth. I’m just going to keep getting better. And just blessed to go out there and play the game I love.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reality of workload limit 'tough,' but Reds Chase Burns has eye on '26
