The Cincinnati Reds have placed Cy Young award hopeful Hunter Greene on the 15-day injured list. He has been dealing with right elbow soreness, with this move being retroactive to August 14.
The #Reds today placed on the 15-day injured list, retro to 8/14, RHP Hunter Greene (right elbow soreness). A corresponding 26-player roster move is not expected tonight.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 17, 2024
Greene has been performing at an extremely high level for the Reds this season. He has helped keep Cincinnati somewhat alive in the National League wild-card race so this is a significant blow to their chances.
On the year, Greene has posted an ERA of 2.83 with a record of 9-4. He has struck out 162 batters over 143.1 innings of work, showing domination on the mound.
Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images
The former No. 2 overall pick from the 2017 MLB Draft made his first All-Star team this season. He didn’t fare too well in his lone appearance, giving up two runs over one inning of work.
Greene has learned to command his pitches much better this season, leading to the rise in success overall. Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson believes that Greene finding more of a routine in his day-to-day has helped him on the mound.
“I think for him, he’s kind of finally developed a routine, things that he does consistently. Whether that’s in the weight room or in the training room, or in his throwing routine, he’s kind of figured out what works best for him and he’s really done a nice job of staying with it.”
The splitter for Greene has come along nicely this season, giving him more ammo in the arsenal. It’s become one of his more dangerous pitches to use and he has learned to throw it effectively.
The summer of the splitter continues as Hunter Greene (6IP 6H 3ER 2BB 5K) of the @Reds wins our Starting Pitcher Pitch of the Day for August 8th – and is one of our highest rated pitches thrown by a starting pitcher this season. pic.twitter.com/bmulcl24FJ
— Baseball Prospectus (@baseballpro) August 9, 2024
Johnson praised the right-hander for how he has developed his splitter. Greene has been looking for another pitch to use and seems to have found it.
“I think he’s finding ways to use it now and I think he uses it in a very smart way. I don’t think he overuses it. The curveball sometimes comes in handy, too. He doesn’t throw that very much either, but there are spots where he does. Soon I think you’re going to see it as a part (of his repertoire) to righties and lefties.”
Losing Green even for a few starts likely hurts the Reds in the playoff standings. Entering Saturday, Cincinnati sat four games back of the final wild-card spot in the NL.
Greene has given this team life so this is a major hit to their overall chances. The hope is that Cincinnati can tread water until he returns and then make a last-ditch effort to reach the postseason.
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