CINCINNATI — The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping A.J. Burnett’s return can help them shake off a weak September start.

Manager Clint Hurdle announced after Monday’s 3-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds that Burnett, sidelined since July 31 with right elbow inflammation, will return to the rotation on Thursday against Milwaukee in the opener of an eight-game homestand.

Sixteen-game winner Gerrit Cole will miss a start to get some extra rest and return to pitch during a doubleheader against the Cubs on Sept. 15, Hurdle said.

The Pirates fell to 2-5 this month after Anthony DeSclafani pitched effectively into the eighth inning and the Reds took advantage of porous Pittsburgh defense to knock off the wild card-leading Pirates in the opener of a three-game series on Monday.

“DeSclafani had a good location fastball and slider,” manager Bryan Price said. “It makes a difference to be able to put two good pitches in different zones.”

DeSclafani (8-10) didn’t allow a Pittsburgh baserunner past second base until the eighth. He didn’t walk a batter in 7 1-3 innings, allowing seven hits with six strikeouts.

The Pirates broke up the shutout in the eighth on Jaff Decker’s leadoff pinch-hit double and Neil Walker’s one-out single to right. Reliever Jumbo Diaz walked Andrew McCutchen before getting Jung Ho Kang to hit into an inning-ending 3-6-1 double play.

Aroldis Chapman pitched the ninth for his 29th save and second in two days as the Reds won back-to-back games for the first time since Aug. 12-13.

Jeff Locke (7-10) lasted two batters into the sixth, allowing four hits and three runs — one earned — with two walks and six strikeouts.

The Pirates tied their season high with four errors, including two by Rodriguez in the first two innings as he made his first start of the season at shortstop.

“If we defend the ball better, who knows what might’ve happened,” Hurdle said.

Rodriguez’s second error opened the door for the Reds.