Major Setback for Cincinnati Reds as Hunter Greene Set to Be Out for 12 Weeks Due to Shoulder Injury

Major Setback for Cincinnati Reds as Hunter Greene Set to Be Out for 12 Weeks Due to Shoulder Injury

CINCINNATI — In what is being seen as a significant blow to the Cincinnati Reds’ playoff ambitions, right-handed pitcher Hunter Greene is expected to miss at least 12 weeks of action due to a shoulder injury, the team confirmed on Tuesday. The 24-year-old flamethrower, who had been a linchpin in the Reds’ starting rotation, was placed on the injured list after experiencing discomfort in his right shoulder following his last outing.

The Reds’ medical staff later diagnosed Greene with rotator cuff inflammation, and after undergoing an MRI and consulting with multiple specialists, the decision was made to shut him down for a minimum of three months. The team has not ruled out surgery but remains hopeful that a combination of rest, rehabilitation, and physical therapy will be sufficient for a full recovery.

“We’re all disappointed,” said Reds manager David Bell during a press conference. “Hunter has been a huge part of our team—not just on the mound, but in the clubhouse. He’s a competitor, and he’s worked so hard this season. It’s tough to see him sidelined, but we’re going to make sure he gets the best care and comes back stronger.”

A Season Full of Promise Cut Short

Hunter Greene, known for consistently throwing fastballs over 100 mph, had been enjoying a breakout year before the injury. In 2025, he posted a 3.62 ERA over 11 starts with 78 strikeouts in 67 innings. He had shown significant improvement in command and pitch efficiency, suggesting he was evolving into the ace the Reds had envisioned when they drafted him second overall in the 2017 MLB Draft.

This injury comes at a particularly inopportune time for Cincinnati, which currently sits second in the NL Central, just 1.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. With a tightly packed division and playoff spots likely coming down to the wire, losing Greene is a major disruption to a rotation that was already battling inconsistency and depth issues.

Rotation Scramble and Trade Rumors

With Greene sidelined, the Reds are expected to call up right-hander Connor Phillips from Triple-A Louisville to fill the vacant rotation spot. Phillips, 23, has shown flashes of brilliance in the minors but has struggled with control issues. While the front office maintains confidence in its internal options, there is increasing speculation that Cincinnati may be forced to pursue a trade for a starting pitcher before the midseason deadline.

“We’ll evaluate all our options,” said Reds GM Nick Krall. “We believe in our young arms, but we’re also in a position where we want to compete. If that means bringing in reinforcements, we’ll do what we need to do.”

Rumors have already begun swirling around possible targets, including veterans like the White Sox’s Erick Fedde and the A’s Paul Blackburn. However, with several contenders also eyeing pitching help, the Reds may need to part with top prospects to land a high-impact arm.

Greene’s Health History a Concern?

While the current diagnosis does not indicate structural damage, Greene’s injury history is raising eyebrows. He previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019, and the team has taken a cautious approach with his innings since returning to the mound. Still, concerns are mounting over whether his electric, high-velocity pitching style might be taking a toll on his arm.

“He throws harder than almost anyone in the league,” said one AL scout. “That’s great when it’s working, but you always worry about wear and tear. Hopefully this is just a bump in the road for him.”

For his part, Greene remains optimistic. In a statement posted to his social media, he thanked fans for their support and promised to come back “better than ever.”

“This is tough, no doubt,” Greene wrote. “But I’ve been through adversity before, and I know what it takes to get back. I’ll be cheering on my teammates and doing everything I can to return strong.”

What This Means for the Reds’ Playoff Hopes

Without Greene, the Reds will lean more heavily on the rest of their rotation, including Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Frankie Montas. The bullpen, already heavily taxed this season, will likely see increased workload unless the rotation can stabilize.

Offensively, Cincinnati still boasts a potent lineup, led by Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. But without their ace, every game could become a higher-scoring affair, placing even more pressure on the offense to produce consistently.

Fans at Great American Ball Park are understandably anxious. After years of rebuilding, the Reds finally appeared ready to make a serious postseason push. Losing Greene for a significant stretch casts a shadow over those aspirations.

Still, the team remains defiant.

“This isn’t the end of our story,” Bell said. “We’ve built this team to handle adversity, and this is just another challenge. Hunter will be back, and until then, we’re going to fight every night.”

Looking Ahead

Hunter Greene’s absence is a painful blow, but it also offers a test of the Reds’ depth, resilience, and front office strategy. Whether Cincinnati can navigate the coming weeks without their prized pitcher may ultimately determine if this season ends with a playoff berth—or another offseason of what-ifs.

For now, all eyes turn to how the Reds adapt and whether Greene’s shoulder responds well to treatment. As Reds fans know too well, in baseball, the line between contention and collapse is often razor-thin.