Hunter Greene, the Cincinnati Reds’ ace pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB), has undergone Tommy John surgery, casting doubt on his return until the 2027 season.
ESPN reported on Friday that Greene suffered a torn ligament in his right elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery. This procedure will sideline him not only for the remainder of this season but potentially until 2027.
This marks Greene’s second Tommy John surgery in seven years, with his first occurring in 2019 while he was still in the minor leagues.
Greene began the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list after undergoing surgery in March to remove bone fragments from his right elbow. Upon his return, he made five starts, pitching 27⅔ innings with a 2-2 record and a 6.83 earned run average (ERA).
Recently, Greene experienced pain during bullpen sessions, leading to further examination and ultimately surgery. The Reds had hoped for a less severe diagnosis, but the outcome was the worst-case scenario.
Greene, who was highly touted as a two-way player in high school, has battled frequent injuries since his MLB debut in 2022.
His injury history includes two stints on the injured list in 2023 due to hip pain, a six-week absence in 2024 for right elbow pain, and two more IL placements last season for a right groin injury.
When healthy, Greene has shown flashes of brilliance as the Reds’ ace. However, this latest elbow issue and subsequent surgery will force him into an extended absence.
Despite receiving trade inquiries about Greene this summer, Cincinnati opted to retain him, hoping to form a formidable one-two punch with Chase Burnes in their starting rotation. Greene’s surgery has now derailed those plans.
As of now, the Reds hold a 58-62 record, placing them fourth in the National League Central Division.