Reds Pitching Depth Offsets Hunter Greene's Injury

Cincinnati's rotation remains strong despite losing its ace until July

Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:07pm

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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene is expected to be out until July after undergoing surgery to fix a bone spur in his elbow. While this is a significant blow to the team's pitching staff, the Reds have several other talented starters who can fill the void left by Greene's absence.

Why it matters

The Reds came into the season with high expectations for their pitching staff, led by Greene, one of the best young arms in baseball. His injury could have derailed their season, but the team's depth has allowed them to weather the storm and remain competitive.

The details

The Reds will start the season with Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer in the rotation, all of whom were dominant last year. They also have promising prospects like Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, and Brandon Williamson who have impressed in spring training. This diverse group of pitchers, each with their own unique strengths, gives the Reds multiple ways to get outs and offset the loss of Greene.

  • Greene underwent arthroscopic surgery in March 2026 and is expected to return around July.
  • The Reds' season begins on March 28, 2026 against the Boston Red Sox.

The players

Hunter Greene

The Reds' ace pitcher who is expected to be out until July after undergoing surgery to fix a bone spur in his elbow.

Andrew Abbott

A left-handed Reds pitcher who pounds the strike zone with a variety of offspeed pitches.

Nick Lodolo

A 6-foot-6 left-handed Reds pitcher with dominant breaking pitches.

Brady Singer

A right-handed Reds pitcher with a unique delivery and tempo that throws hitters off.

Rhett Lowder

A Reds pitching prospect with a dominant changeup who has impressed in spring training.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody's different. Every day someone's gonna get a different look.”

— Nick Lodolo, Reds Starter

“We have a good mix of guys. You've got stuff, you have location, and game planning and then angles. You have a little bit of everything with this group.”

— Rhett Lowder, Reds Pitcher

What’s next

The Reds will monitor Greene's recovery and hope to have him back in the rotation by July.

The takeaway

The Reds' pitching depth has allowed them to maintain high expectations for their season despite the significant loss of their ace, Hunter Greene, to injury. Their diverse group of talented starters gives them multiple ways to win games and remain competitive in the NL Central.