Chase Burns to start Cactus League opener for Cincinnati Reds on Saturday

Goodyear, Ariz. – The first Cactus League game of the spring will serve as an early audition for the Cincinnati Reds’ final rotation vacancy, with right-hander Chase Burns tabbed to start Saturday’s 3:05 p.m. ET exhibition against the Cleveland Guardians at the Reds’ complex.

Burns headlines a four-man derby that also includes Rhett Lowder, Brandon Williamson, and Julian Aguiar, each of whom arrived at camp healthy and eager to stake a claim to the last spot in manager Terry Francona’s rotation. While the assignment does not guarantee Burns an inside track, it does place the spotlight squarely on the flame-thrower, who finished last season on the active roster after a mid-season forearm shutdown.

Dane Myers, the club’s pitching coach, and Francona have already voiced encouragement about the group’s early work, noting crisp bullpens and aggressive live batting-practice sessions. Burns, whose fastball-slider combination can be electric when locked in, will get the first chance to translate that momentum into game action.

Lowder, Williamson, and Aguiar are expected to follow in quick succession as the Reds cycle through candidates over the first two weeks of exhibitions. All three have impressed at lower levels and flashed big-league aptitude when healthy, ensuring the competition will extend well beyond Saturday’s opener.

The contest will stream free of charge on MLB.tv.