The Reds got a rough dose of injury news Wednesday, and it started with Hunter Greene. Cincinnati placed the right-hander on the injured list with elbow soreness, retroactive to August 2, and brought up right-handed reliever Luis Mey from Triple-A Louisville in the corresponding move.
For Greene, it’s the latest setback in a season that has already been defined by rehab and interruption. He didn’t make his debut until July after offseason surgery to remove loose bodies and bone spurs from his right elbow, and now he’s back on the shelf again.
In five starts this year, Greene is 2-2 with a 6.83 ERA and 33 strikeouts across 27 1/3 innings. He had seemed to be finding some rhythm after the long layoff, but the Reds will have to keep pushing without him as they try to remain in the National League Wild Card race.
The word “elbow” is always enough to make people hold their breath with a pitcher, and Greene’s history only sharpens the concern. He previously had Tommy John surgery in 2019.
When he learned he would miss the start of the season, Greene posted his frustration on social media, writing: "It's important that this procedure take place now instead of trying to pitch through it, not be sharp on the mound and risk further injury," Greene wrote in a social media post. "Trust me, nobody is more frustrated than I am."
Before Greene’s update surfaced, Reds manager Terry Francona had already offered a batch of injury notes. Mike Petraglia reported that outfielder Blake Dunn underwent internal brace surgery on his right elbow, with an expected six-month recovery timeline. That’s a much shorter road than Tommy John surgery, and Dunn was back in the clubhouse with his teammates on Wednesday.
Petraglia also reported progress for Graham Ashcraft, who threw 20-25 pitches in a bullpen session and handled it well. He’s set for another bullpen before facing live hitters, then one more side session with the Reds on Monday as he continues building toward a return.
Tony Santillan also moved forward in his rehab, throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session Wednesday.
Spencer Steer’s situation is still up in the air. Petraglia reported that Steer will have his right wrist re-examined next week after getting an injection last week. The Reds’ medical staff is still trying to determine whether season-ending surgery will be needed to repair the torn sheath in his wrist.
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