Reds Starting Pitcher Chase Burns Withdraws from All-Star Game Due to Groin Injury Chase Burns, the Reds’ starting pitcher, has decided not to participate in Tuesday’s All-Star Game after sustaining a groin injury that has left him unable to play. The 23-year-old right-hander reported the issue to the club on Friday and discussed it with manager Terry Francona. Following a review of the situation with Francona, president of baseball operations Nick Krall, and general manager Brad Meador, Burns concluded Saturday that it was best to sit out the event to avoid risking further injury. The injury occurred during a game against the Phillies on Wednesday, when Burns was covering home plate on a wild pitch. Justin Crawford scored on the play, and the impact caused tightness in Burns’ right groin. Despite the discomfort, Burns said he did not feel any immediate issues while pitching, attributing his ability to perform to adrenaline. “I think adrenaline got me through it,” he explained. “The next day, it was just tight.” Francona noted that Burns did not mention the injury during the game but became stiff afterward. The manager praised Burns’ maturity in making the decision, emphasizing that the pitcher had carefully considered his workload and the potential risks of playing in the All-Star Game. “He just said, ‘I am just worried about doing something I shouldn’t do,’” Francona said. “He’s trying to show some maturity and understands where he’s at with his innings compared to last year.” Burns acknowledged the excitement of being selected for his first All-Star Game but expressed concern about the physical toll it could take. “I know myself. I know I’ll be pumped up,” he said. “I know with a crowd like that, I would try to throw probably 120 [miles per hour]. I think it’s just smart for me to not get it tight again.#chase_burns #nick_krall #terry_francona #all_star_game #brad_meador
Chase Burns to Miss All-Star Game After Groin Injury Chase Burns, the 23-year-old Cincinnati Reds pitcher, will not participate in this year’s All-Star Game following a groin injury sustained during a recent matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies. The decision to withdraw from the event, scheduled for July 14 in Philadelphia, was made by Burns himself after he informed Reds manager Terry Francona of the injury on Friday. Francona shared that Burns expressed concern about risking further harm by playing, stating, “He just said, ‘I am just worried about doing something I shouldn’t do.’” The injury occurred on Wednesday during the second inning of the game. Burns was covering home plate when a wild pitch from Phillies’ Justin Crawford allowed the runner to advance. Despite the injury, Burns continued to pitch for an additional three innings, helping the Reds secure an 11-5 victory over the Phillies. In a post-game interview, Burns described the experience as challenging, noting, “I think adrenaline got me through it. The next day, it was just tight.” He acknowledged the physical discomfort but emphasized the importance of prioritizing his health for the remainder of the season. Burns admitted the decision to skip his first All-Star appearance was difficult, particularly given his excitement about being selected. However, he stressed that the risk of exacerbating the injury outweighed the personal disappointment. “It was a tough decision,” he said. “I am very thankful to be selected and stuff, but I kind of had a tough play at the plate against the Phillies and the groin kind of got tight. I think it’s just a mature decision to prioritize the second half of the season and not mess it up anymore.#philadelphia_phillies #cincinnati_reds #chase_burns #terry_francona #all_star_game
Dodgers' Ohtani Unlikely to Pitch in All-Star Game Due to Schedule Adjustments The Los Angeles Dodgers have shifted Shohei Ohtani’s schedule to manage his workload, making it highly improbable he will pitch in the All-Star Game on July 14. The two-way star, who has been a dominant force for the team, was originally scheduled to start on the mound every Wednesday. However, the Dodgers moved his start to Friday, a decision that manager Dave Roberts suggested would complicate his participation in the Midsummer Showcase. Roberts, who will oversee the National League All-Stars in Philadelphia, acknowledged the scheduling conflict but emphasized that the final decision on Ohtani’s availability remains pending. “I haven’t formally said it, but if you just kind of do the math, it would be hard to imagine,” Roberts said during Friday’s game. The manager noted that Ohtani’s recent performance has been inconsistent, with his fastball command and slider effectiveness falling short of earlier-season standards. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his pitching role, Ohtani is locked in as the designated hitter for the All-Star Game. He secured the position by leading all players with 3,341,257 votes in the first phase of fan balloting. While he remains a strong contender for a spot on the NL pitching staff, the selection process is complicated by the availability of other pitchers. Philadelphia left-hander Cristopher Sanchez is the most likely candidate to start in his home ballpark, while Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski, who leads the majors with a 1.45 ERA, is scheduled to pitch for the Brewers two days before the All-Star Game, making him unavailable. Ohtani’s potential participation in the All-Star Game hinges on his ability to recover from recent physical challenges.#shohei_ohtani #los_angeles_dodgers #philadelphia #dave_roberts #all_star_game
