The Cincinnati Reds are about to get a major boost for the second half in the form of Hunter Greene, manager Terry Francona announced Tuesday, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Greene had bone chips removed from his throwing elbow early in spring training and has been on the injured list since March. The 26-year-old will rejoin Cincinnati's rotation Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles.
"He's shown when he's out there healthy he can be one of the best pitchers in baseball," Francona said before Tuesday's game, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "At this point, he hasn't been able to do it. That's not a slam against him. Just things have come up. But having him back will be really good."
Greene broke out as an All-Star in 2024, when he received downballot Cy Young votes. Although a groin injury limited him to 16 starts last season, he put up a 2.76 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 132 strikeouts and one shutout in 107 2/3 innings to help the Reds reach the playoffs.
Greene looked no worse for wear during his three minor-league rehab starts in June, striking out 13 and walking only two without allowing a run.
The former second overall pick owns one of the most powerful arms in baseball. Last year, Greene's fastball averaged 99.5 mph, putting him in the 99th percentile, while his 31.4 whiff percentage landed in the 90th percentile. Opponents hit under .200 against both his fastball and slider in each of the last two seasons.
Greene will form one half of a dynamic duo with Chase Burns - who's expected to be a first-time All-Star in the midst of his breakout campaign - atop Cincinnati's rotation. Rhett Lowder, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer, and former All-Star Andrew Abbott add some depth behind the two young flamethrowers.
The Reds will need Greene and Burns to carry them in the second half, as the team has struggled. The Reds entered play Tuesday sitting five games below .500 and five games behind St. Louis for the last NL wild-card spot.
