Reds' Ace Hunter Greene Faces Elbow Injury Concerns

MRI Results and Potential Impact on Cincinnati's Rotation

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:42pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's delivery broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying the uncertainty and challenges the Reds face with Greene's injury.The Reds' rotation depth will be tested as they await news on ace Hunter Greene's elbow injury and its potential impact on the team's pitching staff.Cincinnati Today

Reds star pitcher Hunter Greene is set to undergo an MRI on his right elbow after experiencing ongoing stiffness and discomfort since late last season. The injury has led to a recommendation for an injection, raising concerns about Greene's availability for the upcoming season. As one of the game's top pitchers over the past two years, Greene's potential absence could significantly impact Cincinnati's strong rotation depth.

Why it matters

Greene's injury is a major concern for the Reds, who have built a formidable starting rotation around the former No. 2 overall draft pick. His potential absence could force the team to rely more heavily on their depth options, potentially testing their ability to maintain a competitive pitching staff throughout the season.

The details

Reds manager Terry Francona confirmed that Greene will undergo an MRI and receive a second opinion from team physician Timothy Kremchek and Dr. Neal ElAttrache. While Greene has navigated bone spurs in the past without surgery, the latest injury development raises questions about his availability. The Reds' rotation depth may be tested, as the team's payroll is already projected to be higher than in 2025, leaving limited budget space for additional free agent signings. President of baseball operations Nick Krall indicated the team may have to explore waiver and trade options to fill any potential void left by Greene's absence.

  • Greene has been dealing with the elbow injury since late last season.
  • The Reds confirmed that Greene will undergo an MRI on his right elbow.

The players

Hunter Greene

Reds ace pitcher who has been one of the game's top pitchers over the past two seasons, posting a 2.76 ERA, 29.2% strikeout rate, and 33.5% ground-ball rate.

Terry Francona

Manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

Timothy Kremchek

Team physician for the Cincinnati Reds.

Neal ElAttrache

Orthopedic surgeon who will provide a second opinion on Greene's elbow injury.

Nick Krall

President of baseball operations for the Cincinnati Reds.

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What they’re saying

“We must get Hunter Greene healthy and back on the mound as soon as possible.”

— Terry Francona, Reds Manager

What’s next

The Reds will wait for the results of Greene's MRI and second opinion to determine the next course of action regarding his elbow injury and potential treatment options.

The takeaway

The Reds' rotation depth will be tested if Greene's elbow injury forces him to miss significant time. The team may need to explore trade and waiver options to fill any potential void, as their payroll constraints limit their ability to sign high-priced free agents.