In 1996, Burba was 11–13 and posted an ERA of 3.83. He also hit two home runs as a batter. The next year, he went 11–10, but his ERA rose to 4.73. By the 1998 season, his pitching repertoire included the fastball, splitter, slider, curveball, and changeup.[2]
Burba was tabbed as the Reds' opening day starting pitcher in 1998. The day before the season started, however, the Reds traded him to the Cleveland Indians for prospect Sean Casey.[3] Burba went 15–10 in 1998, 15–9 in 1999, and 16–6 in 2000. He battled injuries throughout the 2001 season, and went 10–10 with an ERA of 6.21. That off-season, Burba followed General Manager John Hart to the Texas Rangers. He was later placed on waivers and ended up back in Cleveland to finish the season. Burba then signed a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.
On September 2, 2004, he was traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the San Francisco Giants for minor leaguer Josh Habel. Burba's final major-league game was on September 19, 2004.[4]
After filing for free agency from the Giants on October 29, 2004, Burba signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros on March 29, 2005. He spent the entire season in the minor leagues. He signed a minor league contract with the Mariners on January 27, 2006, but was released on March 24, 2006.[5]
