CINCINNATI -- The Reds had hoped to see starting pitcher make one more outing so his season would reach the benchmark of 30 starts. That bid ended on Sunday when Burns was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain.

A first time All-Star in 2026, Burns ended his breakout year 15-3 with a 2.86 ERA and 185 strikeouts over 154 1/3 innings. Because the club was limiting him down the stretch to protect his arm, he was held to three innings in each of his past three starts.

“We’re being very cautious,” manager Terry Francona said. “I think it makes sense to not push him for a three-inning start. So his year is over. He did a really, really good job and we got him to a point where next year -- however he pitches -- he pitches. It’s not going to be determined by, ‘Oh we’ve got to be careful for this.’ That’s a really good thing.”

The protection of Burns' arm stemmed from his only pitching 109 1/3 innings combined in the Majors and Minors in 2025, his first professional season.

“It’s not how I wanted it to end,” Burns said. “But looking back and seeing how much growth and progress I made -- going from not even knowing if I was going to make the roster out of camp to being here and having a pretty successful season -- I think it’s gone a good way, and I’m excited for next year.”

Burns, 23, had to miss pitching in the All-Star Game at Philadelphia because of tightness in the same groin, but that was also viewed as precautionary. The most recent issue had been managed following his final regular start on Aug. 30 against the Cubs. 

Not only did Burns perform well on the mound, he was signed to a seven-year, $105 million contract in July that ensures he will be a significant part of the rotation for the long term. 

Being given the chance to pitch without limits in 2027 could open all sorts of possibilities for Burns.

“The sky’s the limit,” Burns said. “Going for another All-Star, Cy Young, I just want to help the team out as much as possible.”

With no Burns in the mix, the Reds set up their rotation to give Brandon Williamson two more starts over the season's final six games. After he had been piggybacking behind Burns in two of his past three games, Williamson will get his own chance to make two normal starts and try to position himself for next year's rotation.

“That’s a good thing,” Francona said.

To take Burns' spot on the roster, the Reds selected the contract of right-hander Carson Spiers from Triple-A Louisville. Veteran outfielder TJ Friedl was designated for assignment. 

Spiers, 28, is back in the big leagues after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow just over 13 months ago. Since joining Louisville after finishing his rehab, he was 0-1 with a 3.54 ERA in four starts and 20 1/3 innings.

“We were really happy, [because] we wanted to try to find a way to get him here anyway,” Francona said. “This is a kid that, by everybody’s accounts, does everything right. He was in Arizona for part of the summer, kind of led that group. He’s just a leader, a great kid and he’s been throwing the ball really well.”

Spiers, who will be a bullpen option for the Reds in the coming week, was thrilled to make it all the way back. Last season, he opened in the big leagues and pitched in three games (two starts) for Cincinnati and made four starts for Louisville before he was injured.

“Honestly, it’s just been really good to get innings this year,” Spiers said. “That’s been my focus during the whole rehab. Having surgery last year, Aug. 13, when that happened, it was like, ‘Am I going to get innings? What if there is a setback?’ Anything like that. Everything went so smoothly. Throwing the ball well on top of that has been awesome.”