By MIKE ROBERTS
The frustrations continue for the Cincinnati Reds, who lost two of three to the Baltimore Orioles and head into a rubber game on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 42-49 Reds remain in last place in the National League Central, trailing the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers by 15.5 games in the standings.
Despite being in last, Cincinnati had a couple of representatives named for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Here’s a look at those two All-Star selections as well as the return of a star to the team.
Chase Burns
Burns (11-1, 2.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) is an All-Star for the first time in his career, as he was selected as a reserve for the National League squad. The selection shouldn’t be a shocker, seeing that Burns has played like a superstar so far this year. He picked up his 10th straight winning decision in Wednesday night’s 11-5 victory over the Phillies.
July 14th is a special day for Burns. He was selected second overall in the MLB draft on July 14, 2024, and exactly two years later, he’ll experience the Midsummer Classic for the first time on July 14, 2026.
The list of players to become All-Stars just two years after being drafted is short, impressive, and especially rare for a pitcher. The last five hurls before Burns to be selected to the All-Star Game within two years of their draft day include Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh, 2023 Draft, 2024 All-Star), José Fernández (Miami, 2011 Draft, 2013 All-Star), Chris Sale (White Sox, 2010 Draft, 2012 All-Star), Aaron Crow (Kansas City, 2009 Draft, 2011 All-Star, and Tim Lincecum (San Francisco, 2006 Draft, 2008 All-Star).
This could be the first of many All-Star nods for Burns.
Sal Stewart
Like Burns, Stewart (.256 AVG., .822 OPS, 19 HR, 64 RBI, 11 SB) is also making his All-Star debut, named as a reserve. The 22-year-old infielder is the franchise’s first rookie position player to earn an All-Star selection since Chris Sabo back in 1988. Since 1920, Jim Greengrass (1953) is the only other Reds rookie position player to make the All-Star team. Also since 1920, Stewart is just the third Reds rookie to produce at least 20 RBIs in multiple months, joining Greengrass and Tony Cuccinello (1930).
Stewart has been Cincinnati’s most powerful hitter in 2026. He currently leads the team in homers, RBIs, and total bases (167). He homered twice in Wednesday night’s win over Philadelphia, surpassing Hall of Famer Frank Robinson (18 in 1956) for the most home runs by a Reds rookie before the All-Star break. Robinson finished that great ’56 campaign with 38 home runs and the NL Rookie of the Year Award.
So to sum it all up, Stewart is having a really good year.
Super Greene
No, Hunter Greene (0-1, 21.60 ERA, 3.30 WHIP) isn’t an All-Star this year, but maybe he would’ve been if he hadn’t been injured. The Reds’ talented southpaw starting pitcher had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow back in March and made his highly anticipated season debut this past Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles.
Unfortunately, the outing didn’t go very well. Greene lasted just 3 1/3 innings on the mound, allowing eight runs (tying a career high) on seven hits and four walks, while striking out seven batters. Not exactly a great “Welcome Back” present.
Greene struggled mightily in his first game back, but hopefully he can shake off the rust, stay healthy, and return to his 2024 All-Star form. When healthy, he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball, and the Reds will need him at full strength if they want to make a playoff push this year.
Looking Ahead
After the Reds wrap up their series with the Phillies on Thursday, they continue their homestand with a three-game series against the division-rival Chicago Cubs, starting on Friday. The Reds are 0-4 against the Cubs this year.
Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule, including TV information and probable pitchers:
Thursday, 7/9: 7:10 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Jesus Luzardo (PHI) (7-4, 3.75 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) vs. Brady Singer (CIN) 3-8, 5.03 ERA, 1.54 WHIP)
Friday, 7/10: 7:10 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Shota Imanaga (CHI) (5-7, 4.28 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) vs. Hunter Greene (CIN) (0-1, 21.60 ERA, 3.30 WHIP)
Saturday, 7/11: 7:10 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Javier Assad (CHI) (6-1, 4.15 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) vs. Nick Lodolo (CIN) (3-2, 4.68 ERA, 1.46 WHIP)
Sunday, 7/12: 1:40 PM, Reds.TV/MLB.TV, Matthew Boyd (CHI) (4-1, 4.31 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) vs. Andrew Abbott (CIN) (5-5, 3.92 ERA, 1.41 WHIP)