The Cincinnati Reds currently sit just outside the National League Wild Card race, but with veteran manager Terry Francona now at the helm, their potential has risen—and a playoff push remains within reach. Remarkably, they’ve stayed competitive despite being without their ace for much of the season. Now, that’s about to change.
According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, the Reds are preparing for Hunter Greene to make his long-awaited return from injury. Greene has been recovering from a right groin strain, which he re-aggravated on June 3. Though a July comeback seemed likely, lingering discomfort forced him to pause his rehab. Now, however, his return appears to be just around the corner. He recently completed his third rehab start, striking out seven over 3 ⅓ innings, and is expected to ramp up to 80 pitches in his next outing on Friday.
Even without Greene, the Reds’ rotation has been impressive. Andrew Abbott earned an All-Star nod, Nick Lodolo has been stellar, and Brady Singer has delivered in his debut season with Cincinnati. Greene, meanwhile, was in dominant form before hitting the injured list, posting a 2.72 ERA across 11 starts.
While Cincinnati is firmly in the playoff mix this season, they also have an eye on the future. The team should be cautious not to overwork Greene, though his smooth recovery suggests there’s little cause for alarm. If he picks up where he left off, he could be the spark the Reds need for a strong finish.
Greene showed promise in his first two seasons, with a 4.62 ERA over 46 starts, but he took a major leap in 2024. From July 1 through the end of last season, he was lights out, recording a 1.02 ERA across nine starts. His return could be a game-changer for a Reds team trying to power its way into the postseason.
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