Shocking Chase Burns call-up could be the jolt Reds need ahead of Yankees showdown

Though some fans assumed it wouldn't happen, according to The Athletics' C. Trent Rosecrans, the Cincinnati Reds are calling up top prospect Chase Burns. Rosecrans, citing a source, is reporting that Burns will make his major league debut on Tuesday against the New York Yankees.

This is quite the stunner. Burns was just drafted by the Reds last July and has only two starts at the Triple-A level. The fireballer, however, has been lights out during his trek through the minor leagues this season with a 1.77 ERA in 13 minor league starts.

Burns' impending activation is certainly a shock, but injuries have led Cincinnati to make this rather bold move. Hunter Greene is still on the IL with a groin strain, and Wade Miley hit the IL late last week a left flexor strain that has put his major league career in jeopardy. With Brandon Williamson, Rhett Lowder, and Julian Aguiar all on the IL as well, the Reds didn't have many choices remaining.

Reds take gutsy leap by calling up top prospect Chase Burns ahead of Yankees clash

Terry Francona's odd strategy of turning to Nick Martinez midway through the Reds' game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday no doubt pushed Cincinnati's front office into this bold move. The Reds skipper, needing innings after pulling Brent Suter following the second inning on Saturday, turned to Martinez in a pinch. The right-hander gave Francona two scoreless innings, but left the Reds with a dilemma heading this week — who would pitch on Tuesday versus the Yankees?

Martinez, who just pitched against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon, was the Reds' scheduled starter for Tuesday against the Yankees. That duty now falls to Burns, who'll be making his big league debut against the iconic franchise.

Burns' activation could also be a sign that Greene's rehab is expected to take a little longer than most fans had hoped. The Reds' ace is on the IL for the second time this season, and it'll likely be after the All-Star break before Greene returns to the rotation.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding Burns' call-up, Reds fans should be ecstatic. Having lost three straight games, Cincinnati needed to make a play to stay in the playoff hunt. After back-to-back losses to their divisional rival, the Cardinals, the Reds are now three games back of the final Wild Card spot in the National League and 7½ behind the Chicago Cubs in the division.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors