Reds manager Terry Francona may have accidentally started Chase Burns hype train

Nick Martinez got lit up for the second time in two games, and Terry Francona's patience may be wearing thin. During the postgame press conference following the Cincinnati Reds' 12-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins, Francona made it clear that Martinez is on a short leash.

FanDuel Sports Network broadcaster Jim Day noted that Martinez has given up three home runs in back-to-back games. Day then asked Francona if it's time for the Cincinnati's right-hander to pause and reflect, but the Reds skipper's quick retort may signal that swift changes could be on the way.

"I don't think there's time to reflect," Francona said. "I mean you better, if you're going to reflect, you better do it quick because he's pitching again pretty soon." Are Francona's words a sign that Chase Burns may soon be called up to the big leagues?

Reds manager Terry Francona may have accidentally started Chase Burns hype train

Burns has been lights out all season and was recently promoted to Triple-A Louisville. He's appeared in two games for the Louisville Bats since his ascension and has logged 12 ⅓ innings while allowing just three runs on seven hits and striking out 14 batters. Several top prospects who were drafted last season have already made their MLB debuts in 2025, and Burns could be next.

Francona also offered another nugget during his postgame presser that seemed to indicate Burns' call-up may only be a formality at this point. "If you're not throwing 98 (mph), you're margin for error is a little bit less," Francona stated. "He (Martinez) just made some mistakes. I thought his stuff was really good."

Not only does Burns throw 98, but he can hit triple digits on the radar gun. Reds fans know, especially after watching Hunter Greene for the past three seasons, that velocity isn't everything. But Burns pairs his heater with a nearly un-hittable breaking ball, and it won't take much longer for him to prove that he's ready for the big leagues.

If Burns is called up, Martinez would likely be moved to the bullpen. Martinez is signed for $21.05 million, which is quite the price to pay for a middle reliever. There's no need for the Reds to rush Burns to the big leagues. But after watching Martinez surrender 11 runs on 15 hits during his last two starts, you have to wonder how much longer the Reds front office can keep the fireballer down in the minor leagues.

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