When Reds ace Hunter Greene was first placed on the 15-day injured list last week, there was some optimism that the right-hander would only require a minimum stay on the shelf to combat the issue. Unfortunately, that hope has faded in the aftermath of an MRI on Greene’s elbow that revealed inflammation. As noted by Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the club received three medical opinions on Greene’s arm confirmed that the ace’s UCL has not been damaged in what Bell and Greene have described as a “best case scenario.”
While that’s certainly heartening news for Reds fans, Wittenmyer notes that Greene now appears to be ticketed for an absence that will extend well past the minimum 15 days previously hoped for, as the right-hander is now not expected to resume throwing until the inflammation dissipates, which Greene suggested could take as long as two weeks. With just over a month left to go in the regular season and Cincinnati’s playoff hopes this season remote at best, that timeline could call into question whether or not the hard-throwing righty will be able to return this year. As relayed by Wittenmyer, Greene was noncommittal about his timeline for return, though he did note he hopes to pitch again this year:
“I have no clue,” Greene said when asked when he’ll be able to return. “I’d like to be able to finish with two or three more starts, but I’ve got to see how I feel in a few days or a week.”
While it does not currently appear guaranteed that Greene will be able to return to the big league mound this season, it certainly can’t be ruled out. If Greene remains shut down for two weeks, he would resume throwing in early September. It’s at least feasible to imagine that he would be able to go out for a brief rehab assignment in the middle of the month before making a couple of starts in the final weeks of the season, though such a timeline would likely require no setbacks and a somewhat limited pitch count for Greene upon his return.
Regardless of whether or note Greene is able to make it back to the big leagues this year, the fact that his UCL remains undamaged and he figures to be fully healthy for Spring Training 2025 is surely heartening news for the Reds. Even if he doesn’t throw another pitch for the club this year, Greene’s 2024 season has been an unequivocal success as he’s posted a dominant 2.83 ERA in 143 1/3 innings across 24 starts. While Greene’s 9.1% walk rate and batted ball profiles have left advanced stats somewhat less impressed with his work this year (3.41 FIP, 3.75 SIERA, 4.16 xFIP), his excellent results are backed up by premium stuff that’s allowed him to post a 27.8% strikeout rate this year.
With Greene’s breakout allowing the Reds to pencil a bonafide top-of-the-rotation arm into their rotation next season, it’s not hard to imagine much brighter days ahead in Cincinnati despite their lackluster 63-67 record this season. After all, the club figures to benefit not only from the dynamic duo of Greene and Elly De La Cruz but also returns to action from key youngsters like Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand who were hampered by injuries this year.
Blackpink in the area
Good for him and the Reds. He’s turning into what they hoped he would be when they drafted him a serious injury would have been unfortunate.
wrich
Shut him down till next season. No need to risk his health , reds are done this year with or without him
PoisonedPens
Yep, 143 innings is a good run for the season. Build on it, come back stronger next year.
This one belongs to the Reds
The Reds ensured they were done with their inaction at the deadline.
We’ve seen the same thing for 34 years now.
No reason to risk the kid’s arm.
BaseballisLife
Tim Dierkes. I’m starting to hate trying to comment. I get half way through, go to look up something, and an ad pops up that deletes what I had written. It’s to the point that it’s not even worth visiting your site. I can just read the headlines elsewhere and skip coming here. You have to do something about the mobile experience or you are going to lose more than just this old man.
Mai Pen Rai
The ad free experience is great
lesterdnightfly
It’s 2024. Get one of the numerous ad blockers before you complain.
BaseballisLife
Or mute you
This one belongs to the Reds
Off subject, but a good sign for Rhett Lowder. He struggled when he jumped to AA, adjusted and dominated. That is the key to success in the bigs, the ability to adjust.
He also gave his catcher (Barnhart) some credit for his first successful AAA outing, so that shows he’s a smart guy.
Datashark
just say it — out for season. Reds know it.
slasher016
FIP and xFIP are the most overrated “stats” in baseball. Getting weak contact leads to outs which these stats ignore.