Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene is facing the premature end of his current season due to an upcoming elbow surgery. This decision follows a comprehensive medical evaluation of his right elbow, highlighting a recurring issue that has plagued him throughout the year. The procedure marks the second time this season Greene will undergo an operation on the same joint, effectively halting his participation after only a handful of starts.
The announcement regarding Greene's surgery was made by Nick Krall, the president of baseball operations for the Reds. This unfortunate development comes after Greene had previously undergone an arthroscopic procedure on March 11 to address bone chips in his elbow. That initial surgery had already delayed his season debut until July 4th, underscoring the persistent nature of his injury concerns.
After returning to the mound, Greene managed to make five starts for the Reds. However, his comeback was short-lived, as he was sidelined again on Tuesday due to renewed soreness experienced during a bullpen session. Consequently, he was placed on the 15-day injured list the following day, leading to further medical consultations.
The pitcher's condition was assessed by Reds orthopedic surgeon Tim Kremchek on Wednesday, which included an MRI scan. Subsequently, Greene traveled to Los Angeles for an additional expert opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a renowned orthopedist and the team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers, to gain further insight into the extent of his injury.
Reflecting on the situation, Krall explained that both medical specialists concluded that the operation was necessary to investigate and address the underlying issue. He noted that the ligament was compromised, necessitating a procedure focused on its repair. The full scope of the intervention, however, will only become clear once the surgery is underway and the doctors can directly examine the joint.
Krall also mentioned that Greene had been experiencing intermittent soreness for a couple of weeks leading up to his most recent shutdown. The pitcher initially did not bring this discomfort to the team's attention, attributing it to the recovery process from his previous bone chip surgery and believing he could endure it.
Greene, who celebrated his 27th birthday recently, had a challenging season with a 2-2 record and a 6.83 ERA, recording 33 strikeouts and nine walks over 27 2/3 innings. A previous All-Star selection in 2024, Greene has spent his entire five-season major league career with Cincinnati. His career statistics include a 27-31 record, a 3.82 ERA, 650 strikeouts, and 188 walks across 523 1/3 innings.
This season-ending surgery marks a significant setback for Hunter Greene, impacting his trajectory and leaving the Reds without a key right-handed pitcher. The team now looks towards his recovery, hopeful for a full return to form in future seasons after addressing the persistent elbow issues.
