Reds' Greene Focuses on Lower Body to Stay Healthy

Pitcher's offseason workout aims to unlock full potential and end Cincinnati's playoff drought.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 11:04am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp geometric planes in vibrant colors representing the power and energy of the throwing motion.Greene's offseason focus on lower-body strength could be the key to unlocking his full potential and leading the Reds to the playoffs.Cincinnati Today

Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene, known for his electrifying fastball and devastating slider, has struggled with injuries throughout his young career. In the offseason, Greene dedicated himself to strengthening his lower body, a crucial area for pitchers to generate power and maintain stability. The Reds are hopeful that Greene's proactive approach will allow him to stay healthy and lead the team to its first playoff appearance in over a decade.

Why it matters

Greene's durability issues have been a frustrating reality for both the pitcher and Reds fans, as his immense talent has been sidelined by injury. If Greene can finally stay healthy, he could elevate the Reds' talented rotation from a good team to a legitimate World Series contender, ending the franchise's long playoff drought.

The details

Greene, a 6-foot-5 right-hander, made his first All-Star team in 2024 and posted a 2.75 ERA with 169 strikeouts. However, he was limited to just 19 starts last season due to recurring groin issues. Recognizing the need for change, Greene dedicated his offseason to strengthening his lower half, a crucial area for pitchers to generate power and maintain stability. The Reds' rotation also features All-Star lefty Andrew Abbott, the promising Nick Lodolo, and the experienced Brady Singer, with youngsters Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns vying for the fifth starter spot.

  • Greene made his first All-Star team in 2024.
  • Last season, Greene was limited to just 19 starts due to recurring groin issues.

The players

Hunter Greene

A towering 6-foot-5 right-hander for the Cincinnati Reds, known for his electrifying fastball, devastating slider, and split-finger pitch.

Terry Francona

The manager of the Cincinnati Reds, who is optimistic about Greene's progress and the team's rotation potential.

Andrew Abbott

An All-Star left-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.

Nick Lodolo

A promising young pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.

Brady Singer

An experienced pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.

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What they’re saying

“I'm 6-5, 230 pounds. I got a lot of body that's coming down the hill, a lot of force, a lot of output. So I got to make sure that all the boxes are checked when it comes to health and output.”

— Hunter Greene

“He looks good, he's in good shape. These guys, they work really hard, they get after it pretty good.”

— Terry Francona, Manager

“The rich history of Cincinnati and the World Series that they've been able to bring to the city, and they deserve it. It's a baseball city. The heart is with baseball.”

— Hunter Greene

What’s next

The Reds will be closely monitoring Greene's progress and health throughout the upcoming season, as a fully healthy Greene could be the key to the team's playoff aspirations.

The takeaway

Greene's dedication to strengthening his lower body offers hope that he can finally stay healthy and unleash his full potential, which could be the missing piece for the Reds to end their long playoff drought and contend for a World Series title.