The Cincinnati Reds entered the 2026 season carrying a rare sense of momentum. After winning 83 games in 2025 and securing the final playoff spot in the National League, the franchise appeared to be turning a corner. For a team that had not experienced postseason baseball in a full season since 2013, simply getting back to October represented progress. But within the clubhouse and front office, the expectations had already shifted. The Reds were not satisfied with merely sneaking into the playoffs. They intended to build on it.
That plan may now face a serious early challenge.
Hunter Greene’s Health Suddenly Becomes the Reds’ Biggest Question
Reports out of spring training indicate that right-hander Hunter Greene, the projected Opening Day starter and clear ace of Cincinnati’s pitching staff, is dealing with an elbow issue that will require an MRI. For any pitcher, the mention of elbow discomfort and imaging immediately raises alarms across a fan base. The underlying concern is familiar across baseball: the possibility of Tommy John surgery, a procedure that would sideline Greene for the entire 2026 season.
The situation carries even more weight considering Greene’s rise into one of Major League Baseball’s most dominant young pitchers. While Cincinnati’s smaller market and limited national exposure sometimes keep its stars out of the spotlight, Greene’s numbers over the last two seasons have quietly placed him among the league’s elite.
Greene Quietly Emerged as One of Baseball’s Elite Arms
Now 26 years old, Greene’s journey began when the Reds selected him with the second overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. At the time, many evaluators believed he had the talent to go first overall, thanks to a rare combination of triple-digit velocity and developing command. His major league debut came in 2022, and while flashes of brilliance were evident early, it took a few seasons for everything to fully come together.
That breakthrough arrived in 2024. Greene earned his first All-Star selection while posting a 2.75 ERA, a 1.018 WHIP, and striking out 169 batters across 150.1 innings. Rather than regressing the following year, he became even more efficient. In 2025, Greene recorded a 2.76 ERA and an exceptional 0.938 WHIP while striking out 132 hitters in just 107.2 innings. A groin injury limited his workload, but his dominance remained clear.
What adds an additional layer of concern is Greene’s recent admission that the elbow issue may not be entirely new. According to the pitcher, he experienced discomfort during the Reds’ late-season playoff push but chose to push through it.
“It was a playoff push,” Greene explained. “So I pushed through it. As of now, there’s no UCL damage.”
That statement offers some reassurance, but until imaging confirms the ligament’s condition, uncertainty remains.
Cincinnati’s Playoff Momentum Faces a Major Test
The timing could not be worse for a Reds team attempting to take a significant step forward. Cincinnati was notably more aggressive this past offseason, bringing back familiar slugger Eugenio Suárez and re-signing closer Emilio Pagán. The club also pursued power hitter Kyle Schwarber in free agency, signaling a willingness to invest in a competitive roster.
Without Greene anchoring the rotation, those ambitions become more difficult to realize. Andrew Abbott, coming off a strong season with a 2.87 ERA over 166.1 innings, would likely assume the role of staff leader. Pitchers such as Nick Lodolo would face increased pressure to elevate their performance, while highly regarded prospects like Chase Burns may be called upon sooner than anticipated.
For now, the Reds and their fans wait for the results of an MRI that could define the trajectory of their season. When the health of an ace hangs in the balance, the stakes extend far beyond one player. In Cincinnati, it may determine whether a promising rise continues or stalls before it truly begins.
