When Reds ace Hunter Greene was first positioned on the 15-day injured checklist final week, there was some optimism that the right-hander would solely require a minimal keep on the shelf to fight the problem. Sadly, that hope has light within the aftermath of an MRI on Greene’s elbow that exposed irritation. As famous by Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the membership acquired three medical opinions on Greene’s arm confirmed that the ace’s UCL has not been broken in what Bell and Greene have described as a “finest case situation.”
Whereas that’s definitely heartening information for Reds followers, Wittenmyer notes that Greene now seems to be ticketed for an absence that may prolong nicely previous the minimal 15 days beforehand hoped for, because the right-hander is not anticipated to renew throwing till the irritation dissipates, which Greene recommended may take so long as two weeks. With simply over a month left to go within the common season and Cincinnati’s playoff hopes this season distant at finest, that timeline may name into query whether or not or not the hard-throwing righty will be capable to return this 12 months. As relayed by Wittenmyer, Greene was noncommittal about his timeline for return, although he did observe he hopes to pitch once more this 12 months:
“I’ve no clue,” Greene stated when requested when he’ll be capable to return. “I’d like to have the ability to end with two or three extra begins, however I’ve obtained to see how I really feel in a couple of days or per week.”
Whereas it doesn’t presently seem assured that Greene will be capable to return to the large league mound this season, it definitely can’t be dominated out. If Greene stays shut down for 2 weeks, he would resume throwing in early September. It’s at the very least possible to think about that he would be capable to exit for a quick rehab project in the midst of the month earlier than making a few begins within the ultimate weeks of the season, although such a timeline would probably require no setbacks and a considerably restricted pitch depend for Greene upon his return.
No matter whether or not or observe Greene is ready to make it again to the large leagues this 12 months, the truth that his UCL stays undamaged and he figures to be absolutely wholesome for Spring Coaching 2025 is unquestionably heartening information for the Reds. Even when he doesn’t throw one other pitch for the membership this 12 months, Greene’s 2024 season has been an unequivocal success as he’s posted a dominant 2.83 ERA in 143 1/3 innings throughout 24 begins. Whereas Greene’s 9.1% stroll fee and batted ball profiles have left superior stats considerably much less impressed together with his work this 12 months (3.41 FIP, 3.75 SIERA, 4.16 xFIP), his glorious outcomes are backed up by premium stuff that’s allowed him to put up a 27.8% strikeout fee this 12 months.
With Greene’s breakout permitting the Reds to pencil a bonafide top-of-the-rotation arm into their rotation subsequent season, it’s not laborious to think about a lot brighter days forward in Cincinnati regardless of their lackluster 63-67 file this season. In spite of everything, the membership figures to learn not solely from the dynamic duo of Greene and Elly De La Cruz but in addition returns to motion from key kids like Matt McLain and Christian Encarnacion-Strand who had been hampered by accidents this 12 months.
