Burns is scheduled to start the fourth game of the regular season, March 30, against the Pirates, Rich Rovito of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burns was originally confirmed to be part of a three-pitcher crew that would combine to fill the fourth and fifth rotation spots, but plans changed when the Reds announced that Nick Lodolo (blister) will begin the regular season on the injured list. Burns, Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson will now have their own spots in the rotation to begin the season. Burns finished off his preseason work Tuesday, tossing 68 pitches over five innings in an exhibition game against the Brewers.

Burns was told by the Reds that he has made the Opening Day roster, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burns was informed along with fellow starters Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson. The three of them will occupy two rotation spots and back each other up in those spots due to their recent injury histories and/or lack of experience. Burns got his first big-league action in the second half of the 2025 season and struggled. The 2024 second overall pick started in eight of his 13 appearances and finished with a 4.57 ERA while compiling a record of 0-3. During spring training in 2026, the 23-year-old gave up four runs across 3.2 innings in one outing, but he has given up no more than one run in his other three.

The Reds could elect to hold Burns off the Opening Day roster to ensure he has enough time to ramp up to a starter's workload, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burns was held to a 24-pitch outing Friday after the Reds didn't like the right-hander's arm movement early in his start, and Rosecrans notes that because Burns may not be as stretched out as some of the other starters, the club could decide to give him a few more chances to ramp all the way up before sending him out on a big-league mound. However, it's important to point out that this is simply a roster projection for a player who will be heavily involved in Cincinnati's pitching plans for 2026. Outside of Friday's appearance, the Reds have been quite pleased with Burns so far this spring, with the team stating earlier Monday that the 23-year-old's Sunday bullpen session went very well, per Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati.

Burns allowed one hit and struck out two over two scoreless innings in Friday's spring start against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

At a stage in spring training when most starters are ramping up to four or five innings, Burns was intentionally held back in his fourth Cactus League start Friday. Reds manager Terry Francona discussed the pitcher's usage with Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. "This kid is still working through some of his routines and stuff," Francona said. "And he had a good five days with the trainers working on the flexibility and the mobility. We just want to make sure. He's good to go. It might cost him an inning, but he's OK." Burns' previous outings were marked by falling behind hitters and running into trouble, so his 17 strikes over 24 pitches Friday were a good sign. Francona confirmed that Burns will still be stretched out as a starter going forward, which means he's still in the mix for one of two available rotation spots along with Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson.

Burns allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five over 2.1 innings in Thursday's spring start against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Burns' slider played well and his pitch count increased to 48 in his second Cactus League start, but his four-seamer was wayward. He threw just 26 strikes and fell behind against multiple batters. That includes the first at-bat of the third inning, when Rodolfo Duran took two four-seamers for balls before drilling a third for a home run. Burns remains in the hunt for the final spot in the rotation.

Burns walked three and did not allow a hit while striking out two over two scoreless innings as the starting pitcher in Saturday's spring opener against the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Reds manager Terry Francona wasted little time in getting three of the four candidates for the fifth spot in the rotation some game action. Burns, Rhett Lowder and Julian Aguiar all were used for two-inning stints in the Cactus League kickoff. Burns overcame a couple of four-pitch walks in the first inning and a two-out walk in the second while working his pitch count up to 37 (15 strikes). He used a new in-development changeup to induce a weak flyout to center field. "My changeup was really good. It gives me a lot of confidence," Burns told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com after the contest. Working on secondary pitches have been a focus for Burns in early in camp as the right-hander looks to expand an arsenal that includes a four-seamer, slider and sinker.

Burns will compete for the fifth starter's role during spring training, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. He showed improvement with his changeup during a two-inning live batting practice session on Monday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Dayton Daily News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burns experienced just about everything a pitcher can during his first year of professional ball in 2025, hitting three levels of the minors before making his MLB debut with the Reds. He also experienced an injury, time on the injured list and returned to pitch as a reliever over the final weeks of the regular season and into the postseason. The right-hander held his own for the most part and can leverage that experience to compete for the final rotation spot. His fellow candidates for the job are Rhett Lowder, Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar (elbow). Burns possesses an elite four-seamer and slider (43.9 Whiff%) and has succeeded thus far on the strength of those two pitches, but adding a useful changeup or cutter could take him to another level.

The Reds activated Burns (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Burns wound up missing a month of action with a Grade 1 right flexor strain. He did not go out on a rehab assignment, and the Reds' plan is to deploy the rookie flamethrower as a reliever down the stretch. While Burns is likely to be quite successful in a relief role, he will not be used as the team's closer, so it will be difficult for him to churn out much fantasy value in the final weeks.

Burns (elbow) will initially pitch out of the bullpen upon his expected activation Friday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burns will be limited in his innings and usage but could make a serious impact as a reliever. The right-hander can pair a triple-digit fastball and wipeout slider in short outings. Burns has worked his way back from a flexor tendon strain that's kept him on the injured list since Aug. 15 (retroactive to Aug. 12).

The Reds intend to activate Burns (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Burns was cleared to resume throwing in mid-August and progressed to facing live hitters in early September. He's in the final stages of his recovery from a Grade 1 right elbow strain, and the 22-year-old looks poised to skip a rehab assignment and return to the majors as long as he gets through Tuesday's bullpen session without suffering a setback, per Wittenmyer. Burns started in all eight of his appearances with the Reds prior to his injury and posted a 5.24 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 34.1 innings, but manager Terry Francona has hinted at Burns working out of the bullpen for the tail end of the season.