Hunter Greene had a message for Reds fans after an update on his right elbow injury.
The Cincinnati Reds received disappointing news this week as ace pitcher Hunter Greene confirmed he will undergo a procedure on his right elbow, sidelining him for a significant portion of the 2026 season.
Greene had been dealing with right‑elbow stiffness earlier this spring, which initially raised concern about a potentially serious injury. While early evaluations suggested his ulnar collateral ligament was intact, further examination revealed bone spurs in the elbow that ultimately require surgery.
The procedure will remove the bone fragments and is expected to keep Greene out for roughly half of the season. It represents a major setback for the Reds, who rely heavily on the 26‑year‑old as the anchor of their pitching staff.
Greene addressed the situation directly in a message to fans on X.
“I’m going to have a small procedure Wednesday to clean up some bone spurs in my right elbow,” Greene wrote. “The discomfort was there down the stretch last year, but because our push to get to the playoffs was so important, I recognized the moment and pushed through it like any player would.”
Greene also explained that tests performed after the season provided encouraging news regarding the overall health of his elbow. “Thankfully, my UCL was found to be in great shape,” Greene added.
In the rest of his message, Greene described how the pain eventually returned as he increased the intensity of his offseason throwing program and began preparing for spring training. He noted that the irritation in his elbow made it difficult to finish pitches without sharp discomfort, which ultimately led to the decision to proceed with the procedure now rather than risk worsening the injury.
Greene emphasized that he remains focused on returning as quickly as possible and helping the team later in the season. He expressed excitement about the Reds young roster and stated that he still hopes to accomplish significant goals with the team once he returns.
The injury is a tough blow for Cincinnati given Greene’s importance to the club. The right‑hander has developed into a Cy Young‑caliber pitcher and one of the most electric arms in the league.
Originally selected with the second overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Greene has steadily grown into the ace the organization envisioned. His breakout season came in 2024 when he earned his first All‑Star selection and finished eighth in National League Cy Young Award voting.
Despite battling injuries in 2025, Greene still made 19 starts and posted a 2.76 ERA with 132 strikeouts across 107 2/3 innings. His performance helped the Reds secure a postseason appearance.
Now, Cincinnati will have to navigate the early months of the season without its top pitcher while hoping Greene can return later in the year to strengthen the rotation.