Reds rookie Sal Stewart talks first homer, victory over the over Mets
Cincinnati Reds rookie Sal Stewart hit his first MLB home run to give the Reds an early lead in a win over the Mets just 6 days after his debut.
- Reds rookie pitcher Chase Burns threw 45 pitches in a simulated game Sept. 7 and appears close to returning.
- Reds rookie Chase Burns said he will do whatever the club wants, starting, moving to bullpen or minor league rehab stint.
Cincinnati Reds’ rookie Chase Burns, who has been out nearly a month, is nearing his return to the mound after hitting the injured list Aug. 15 due to a flexor injury.
Burns, who last pitched Aug. 8 in Pittsburgh, threw 45 pitches over a 3-inning simulated game at Great American Ball Park Sept. 7 prior to the Reds’ series-finale against the visiting New York Mets.
“I’m excited to get back out there,” said Burns, who worked his full arsenal of pitches against a trio of hitters. “Very optimistic. I felt great and that’s the biggest thing of all of it, being able to go back out there and help the guys win.”
Where does Burns end up if activated?
“It just depends. See what happens today, then get with Tito, DJ (Reds’ pitching coach Derek Johnson) and the front office and see what the best thing is for him,” acting manager Freddie Benavides said. “Whether it’s to start or just come straight in here.”
A likely scenario is for Burns to move to the bullpen. It’s a taxed group that had covered 54 outs in a three-game span before Brady Singer’s fifth consecutive quality start led the Reds to a win over the Mets Sept. 6.
Burns, who is 0-3 with a 5.24 ERA but has struck out 57 batters in 34 ⅓ innings in eight starts, said he’s open to all avenues that lead to him returning down the stretch.
“I’m always gonna say I wanna get back out there as soon as possible,” Burns said. “Whatever they wanna do with me, if they want me to go and get a start in the minors, that’s fine with me. Anything to come back and help the team win.”
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