Reds' Hunter Greene Reveals Elbow Surgery Plan

Promising young pitcher to miss start of 2026 season after procedure to remove bone chips

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene has announced that he will undergo surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow, rather than the more serious Tommy John surgery. Greene revealed he first felt discomfort in his right elbow late in the 2025 season but played through the pain as the Reds pushed for a playoff spot. The recovery timeline is estimated at 14-16 weeks, meaning Greene may not return to action until July 2026.

Why it matters

Greene is a key part of the Reds' pitching rotation and his injury is a significant setback for the team as they look to build on their 2025 playoff appearance. The Reds will need to find a way to stay competitive in his absence, which could impact their chances of returning to the postseason.

The details

Greene said the UCL in his elbow is intact, but the surgery is needed to remove bone chips. He first felt discomfort late in the 2025 season but continued to pitch through the pain as the Reds pushed for a playoff spot. The recovery timeline of 14-16 weeks means Greene could miss the first several months of the 2026 season.

  • In late February 2026, Greene suffered an elbow injury.
  • About 10 days after the injury was announced, Greene revealed he must undergo surgery.
  • The recovery timeline for the surgery is estimated at 14-16 weeks.

The players

Hunter Greene

A 26-year-old starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds who is coming off a strong 2025 season but will now miss the start of the 2026 campaign due to elbow surgery.

Cincinnati Reds

The Major League Baseball team that Greene plays for, who reached the playoffs in 2025 but will need to find a way to stay competitive in Greene's absence.

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What they’re saying

“I first felt discomfort in my right elbow at the back end of the 2025 campaign. However, with the Reds pushing for a playoff spot, I fought through the pain and played anyway.”

— Hunter Greene, Reds Starting Pitcher (clutchpoints.com)

What’s next

The Reds will need to determine how to fill Greene's spot in the rotation while he recovers, and Greene will work to return to action as soon as possible, with a target of July 2026.

The takeaway

This injury is a setback for the Reds and Greene, but the fact that he is avoiding Tommy John surgery and only needs to remove bone chips is relatively good news. The Reds will need to find a way to stay competitive in his absence, and Greene will look to return stronger than ever once he has recovered.