Reds SP Hunter Greene facing season-ending elbow surgery

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene, who is lost for the remainder of the MLB season, enjoyed one highlight.

In his second start after missing the first three months after enduring right-elbow surgery March 11, Greene tossed seven shutout innings, while striking out 12, during a 4-0 win over the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ballpark on July 10.

Greene yielded just three hits and one walk and induced 14 whiffs in the historic outing, continuing his career-long stranglehold on the Cubs. Greene held the North Siders to a .136 batting average, which marked the lowest average by any MLB pitcher in the modern era with a minimum of 10 starts. 

The right-hander found little success in his other four starts, finishing with a 2-2 record, 6.83 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 27.2 innings. Diagnosed with a partially torn UCL, he will be shut down for the remainder of the season, per MLB.com.

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The Reds (56-58) entered Friday's game at the Washington Nationals with a depleted starting rotation and a four-game winning streak. They trailed the NL Wild Card race by four games. Starters Brandon Williamson and Nick Lodolo remain on the injured list.

Greene, a five-year veteran, has faced medical issues this season after seven relatively injury-free seasons. Here is a partial list:

• UCL sprain, 2018
• Tommy John surgery, 2019 
• Arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies in his throwing elbow, March 2026
• Partial UCL tear in throwing elbow, July 2026

The extent of Greene's injury has not been determined. He could be ready for 2027 Spring Training, but if a second Tommy John surgery is required, he could be sidelined until 2028.

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