When Reds ace Hunter Greene was first positioned on the 15-day injured record 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 pale 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 state of affairs.”
Whereas that’s definitely heartening information for Reds followers, Wittenmyer notes that Greene now seems to be ticketed for an absence that can prolong nicely previous the minimal 15 days beforehand hoped for, because the right-hander is no longer anticipated to renew throwing till the irritation dissipates, which Greene advised 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 have the ability to return this 12 months. As relayed by Wittenmyer, Greene was noncommittal about his timeline for return, although he did notice he hopes to pitch once more this 12 months:
“I’ve no clue,” Greene mentioned when requested when he’ll have the ability to return. “I’d like to have the ability to end with two or three extra begins, however I’ve acquired to see how I really feel in a couple of days or every week.”
Whereas it doesn’t at present seem assured that Greene will have the ability 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 a minimum of possible to think about that he would have the ability to exit for a quick rehab project in the midst of the month earlier than making a few begins within the closing weeks of the season, although such a timeline would possible require no setbacks and a considerably restricted pitch rely for Greene upon his return.
No matter whether or not or notice 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 totally wholesome for Spring Coaching 2025 is definitely 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 price and batted ball profiles have left superior stats considerably much less impressed along with his work this 12 months (3.41 FIP, 3.75 SIERA, 4.16 xFIP), his wonderful outcomes are backed up by premium stuff that’s allowed him to submit a 27.8% strikeout price 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 exhausting to think about a lot brighter days forward in Cincinnati regardless of their lackluster 63-67 document this season. In spite of everything, the membership figures to profit 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.