NL Playoff Contender’s Announcement Casts Shadow Over Inspiring Season

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JON VANKIN is a journalist and writer. He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels. His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Salon, the L.A. Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards.

In connection with his work, Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN, CNBC, FOX, the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts.

Vankin in his wide-ranging career has also served as an editor of comic books and newspapers. He is the editor of the NEW YORK TIMES #1 BESTSELLING graphic novel GET JIRO! by the late, great Anthony Bourdain. He co-wrote the hit Off Broadway musical FOREVER DUSTY, and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri, the English-language edition of Japan’s largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun, in Tokyo.

Jon Vankin

Contributing Sports Writer

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The days of the “Big Red Machine” may be ancient history, but after missing the playoffs in 10 of the last 11 seasons, and finishing over .500 only three times in that span, the Cincinnati Reds under new manager Terry Francona have put together what looks to be a season their fans can finally get excited about.

Sitting just one half-game out of the National League’s third and final wild card spot heading into Friday’s action, and six games over .500, the Reds appear headed for their best season since 2013, when they won 90 games and qualified for a wild card playoff berth.

But news announced by the Reds on Friday casts a dark cloud over the Reds’ inspiring season. In 2024, Cincinnati made Wake Forest hurler Chase Burns the No. 2 overall pick in the MLB draft. Just 11 months later, they called Burns up to make his major league debut.

Now, after just eight big league starts, the 22-year-old flamethrower has been sent to the 15-day injured list. That news would be discouraging enough on its own, but the injury suffered by Burns makes it even worse.

The rookie has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 Flexor Strain.

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A flexor strain can last just a couple of weeks, though typically recovery requires up to two months, which would effectively end the season for Burns.

But Francona said on Friday that the “best-case” scenario for Burns was an absence of about two weeks, and that the rookie right-hander could resume throwing within a week.

Flexor strains can also be very serious. According to research data from 2018, about 20 percent of all MLB pitchers who suffered the injury required Tommy John surgery within one year.

MLB has seen an explosion of young fireballers who reach or top 100 mph with their fastballs. In 2025, five rookies have hit the triple-digit mark. Burns is one of them — along with the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki, Chase Dollander of the Colorado Rockies, and the New York Yankees’ Cam Schlittler.

Saskai has been on the IL since May 13, and now Burns joins him there.

In his eight starts, Burns had yet to record a win, with three losses and an ERA of 5.24. But he struck out 57 in just 34 1/3 innings while issuing 13 walks.

In an encouraging sign, Burns’ Fielding-Independent Pitching (FIP) number of 2.44 is less than half his ERA, indicating that the Reds’ defense has not served Burns well.

The Reds recalled left-hander Joe La Sorsa from the Triple-A Louisville Bats to take Burns’ place on the roster.

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