Following a Tommy John procedure performed on Thursday to mend a ligament in his right elbow, Cincinnati Reds hurler Hunter Greene will miss the remainder of this campaign and potentially 2027. The team had announced Friday that Greene would require surgery. He also had Tommy John surgery in 2019 when he was in the minor leagues. The Cincinnati Enquirer first reported his latest surgery.
Timeline and Surgical Details of Greene’s Injury
According to Associated Press coverage, team officials initially announced Friday that Greene required the operation. Until the extent of the damage was discovered during surgery on August 12 in Los Angeles, the team had hoped to utilize a lesser internal brace procedure that would have allowed a quicker recovery, as reported by Yahoo Sports. Instead, surgeons performed a full revision, establishing a projected 12-to-18-month recovery window that sidelines the right-hander well into the future.
Managerial Reaction and Roster Impact
Greene is 2-2 with a 6.83 ERA in 27 2/3 innings over five starts. Having last pitched on July 31, Greene informed the club’s medical personnel that he felt discomfort during his bullpen session on August 4. Reds manager Terry Francona addressed the loss to Yahoo Sports, stating, “We wanted him to come into this season being our ace. And when you don’t have it, it doesn’t help.” Francona added that compensation for the long-term absence depends on who fills the void in the rotation.
Injury History and Contract Background
Greene started the year on the 60-day injured list as a result of a March operation to extract bone chips from his right elbow. Last year, a right groin problem led to two separate IL stints for Greene, restricting him to just 19 starts. In 2024, he missed six weeks with right elbow soreness. In 2023, there were two stints on the IL with hip pain. Even though several teams showed trade interest in Greene over the summer, Cincinnati decided to keep him, pairing him with All-Star right-hander Chase Burns to form a formidable one-two punch atop the starting rotation. Greene secured a six-year, $53 million contract extension in April 2023, which features a club option worth $21 million for the 2029 season.
Did you know? Hunter Greene previously had Tommy John surgery in 2019 when he was in the minor leagues.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Hunter Greene have surgery?
According to the Associated Press, Greene underwent Tommy John surgery on Thursday, August 12.
How long is Hunter Greene’s recovery timeline?
According to Yahoo Sports, the expected recovery timeline is 12 to 18 months, which will keep him out for the rest of the current season and potentially all of 2027.
What was Greene’s performance before the injury?
Greene is 2-2 with a 6.83 ERA in 27 2/3 innings over five starts.
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