The Cincinnati Reds have scratched Chase Burns from Monday night’s scheduled start against the Kansas City Royals, removing their best available starting pitcher from an already compromised series opener at Great American Ball Park. Cincinnati announced Burns has an illness, which is the reason for the scratch. Lyon Richardson will open for the Reds in what will likely be a bullpen game, now.
Burns had been the central advantage in Monday’s matchup. The 23-year-old right-hander enters at 7-1 with a 1.96 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 72 strikeouts across 64 1/3 innings, emerging as the stabilizing arm in a Reds rotation that has otherwise labored through the opening two months. He was also coming off an exceptional May, going 4-0 with a 1.19 ERA while establishing himself among the league’s strongest early-season breakout starters.
The timing could hardly be worse for Cincinnati. The Reds already lost shortstop Elly De La Cruz to the 10-day injured list after he suffered a right hamstring injury Sunday. Burns was supposed to give them control of Monday’s game while a reshaped offense adjusted without its most dynamic player.
Kansas City entered the series at 22-37 after losing six straight games and 16 of its last 19, with its offense averaging fewer than four runs per game. Burns’ removal changes that scoring outlook immediately and places far more strain on Cincinnati’s pitching depth.
Any pregame wagers built around Burns, including strikeout props, outs-recorded props or Royals early team-total unders, should be rechecked against sportsbook void rules. The Reds’ side and run-line prices also warrant immediate reevaluation once a replacement starter is confirmed.
