Nationals' DFA could help Reds solve looming Chase Burns dilemma

Terry Francona, along with the Cincinnati Reds front office and coaching staff, can continue to kick the can down the road all they want, but at some point this season, Chase Burns is going to be shut down — or at least severely limited.

It feels like a weekly conversation at this point, but it's one worth having. Every inning that Burns throws from here until the end of his season is a new career-high. Currently, he's sitting on 139⅔ total frames, and he was removed from his last outing after just 3⅔ innings of work.

Moreover, Burns' last start against the San Francisco Giants was arguably his worst of the season. The fireballer couldn't make it through four innings, and was pulled after allowing five runs on nine hits. He struck out five batters and only walked one, but was pulled after just 64 pitches.

Near the end of May, Reds broadcaster Jeff Brantley spoke about the reality of Burns' truncated season. Based on his experience, The Cowboy estimated Burns would be shutdown before he hit 150 innings pitched. If Brantley's assertion is correct, Burns might only have one or two more starts left in the tank.

The problem, however, is that the Reds still have about four-and-a-half weeks of games left to be played in 2026. That would equate to about six starts, and thereby push Burns closer to 170 innings pitched. That's a major jump from the 109⅓ innings he logged in 2025, and given their recent $105 million investment, Cincinnati would be unwise to push Burns that far past his limit.

So what options do the Reds have? Frankly, not many. Both Julian Aguiar and José Franco are on the minor-league injured list, as is Brandon Leibrandt (a pitcher who was a spot-starter earlier this season). Brandon Williamson might be an option to give the Reds some length. He's currently on a rehab assignment after spending several months on the IL with a shoulder injury.

Reds could turn to ex-Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams to help offset Chase Burns' inning limits

The Washington Nationals, however, may have just presented the Reds with a simpler solution. The Nats designated Trevor Williams for assignment earlier this week, and if the former Pittsburgh Pirates starter passes through waivers, Cincinnati could sign him to a low-cost deal.

Williams was placed on Washington's 60-day IL (elbow) before the season, and he's been rehabbing in the minor leagues since the end of June. He was finally recalled back to the big leagues in late-July, but the Nats decided to terminate his contract on Tuesday.

Williams hasn't had much time to ramp up — he's logged just 17 innings in eight games — but he would offer a veteran presence in the Reds' rotation (or bullpen) to help Cincinnati navigate the final few weeks of the 2026 season.

The Louisville Bats' roster is not void of arms. Darius Vines, Kevin Abel, Jose Acuña, and even Kent Emanuel could all offer the Reds some extra innings in September. Regardless of how the Reds get to the end of the season, they'll likely need to do so without Burns in the starting rotation.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow