The Cincinnati Reds have been treading water without their ace, and now the clock is finally ticking on Hunter Greene’s return. The 26-year-old right-hander is set to begin a rehab assignment in Arizona on June 18, according to reporter Charlie Goldsmith, offering a flicker of hope for a rotation that’s been battered by injuries all season.
Greene hasn’t thrown a single pitch in the 2026 MLB season, sidelined by ongoing elbow issues that landed him on the 60-day injured list before Opening Day. The former All-Star, who posted a stellar 2.76 ERA and 0.94 WHIP across 19 starts in 2025, has been sorely missed — especially as Cincinnati stumbled to a 33-36 record, dead last in the National League Central.
The Rehab Roadmap
Greene’s path back isn’t simple. Because he’s been out since spring training, the Reds are expected to use most (or all) of his 30-day rehab window to build him back up. Manager Terry Francona has indicated the team is aiming for a return before the All-Star break in mid-July, but nothing is guaranteed. As CBS Sports noted, Greene will need to prove he can handle a starter’s workload before getting the green light.
The good news? Greene’s early bullpen sessions have been encouraging. In late May, the pitcher told MLB.com he was pleased with his command during a live session, saying, “I was really happy because my accuracy was actually really, really good. I only threw my fastball and my splitter. But it was a good feeling, because I wasn’t surprised — because of my work leading up to the bullpen.”
Injury History Looms Large
This marks the second straight season Greene has missed significant time. A groin strain limited him to 19 starts in 2025, though he was still dominant when healthy — earning seven wins and helping the Reds reach the playoffs. Back in 2024, he was named an All-Star, cementing his status as the franchise arm Cincinnati built around.
But elbow problems are notoriously tricky, especially for a pitcher who relies on triple-digit velocity. The team hasn’t revealed the exact nature of Greene’s injury, and speculation about the severity has lingered all season. One encouraging sign: Greene has already resumed throwing without setbacks, which suggests the issue isn’t structural.
What’s at Stake
The Reds are in a precarious spot. The National League Central is winnable — no team in the division has run away with it — but Cincinnati’s depleted rotation has made consistency nearly impossible. Without Greene, the club has leaned on young arms and spot starters, with mixed results.
If Greene can return to form, the Reds could make a second-half push reminiscent of last year’s playoff run. If the rehab stalls or his elbow flares up again, the front office may have to weigh whether to buy or sell at the trade deadline. Either way, all eyes are on that Arizona rehab start.
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