Reds FeedHunter Greene
P · Age 27 · Bats Right · Throws Right
Where things stand
Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery on his elbow and will miss the remainder of 2026 and likely all of 2027, with the earliest possible return in 2028. This is Greene's second UCL surgery, following a similar procedure in 2019. The injury significantly diminishes his trade value heading into the offseason, while the Reds must address a major rotation gap with Greene still owed $15.3 million in 2027 and $16.3 million in 2028.
Synthesized by MLB Feed Network from the 16 stories below. How we write these
2026 season
Stats from the MLB Stats API.
Contract
See the full Reds payroll.
Hunter Greene coverage
Hunter Greene's injury leaves Reds with an ominous Ke'Bryan Hayes reality
Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery for a UCL injury and will miss the remainder of 2026 and likely all of 2027, with the earliest possible return in 2028. The Reds will still owe Greene $15.3 million in 2027 and $16.3 million in 2028 while needing to acquire another starting pitcher to fill the rotation gap, potentially costing an additional $7 million to $23 million depending on their approach. This financial constraint makes it unlikely Cincinnati will trade or release third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, who is owed $8 million next season, despite his offensive struggles since arriving from Pittsburgh last summer.
Blog Red MachineHunter Greene's injury puts Reds' 2027 payroll in the spotlight
Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery and is likely to miss the 2027 season, though his $15.3 million salary will still count against Cincinnati's payroll that year. The Reds currently have only four players with guaranteed 2027 contracts totaling $40.32 million, but face significant arbitration raises for players including Elly De La Cruz, Andrew Abbott, and Matt McLain. De La Cruz is expected to earn somewhere between $4.2 million and $8.5 million based on recent comparable deals, while Abbott and McLain could collectively earn around $15 million or more. With additional arbitration-eligible players and potential non-tenders to consider, the Reds' 2027 payroll could reach $70-75 million.
Blog Red MachineMLBTR Podcast: The Athletics’ Unclear Future, The Reds Without Hunter Greene, The Yankees’ Infield, And More!
The MLB Trade Rumors Podcast covers several significant developments across baseball, including the Athletics parting ways with general manager David Forst and the Nationals moving CJ Abrams away from shortstop. Host Darragh McDonald and Anthony Franco also discuss the Reds losing pitcher Hunter Greene to Tommy John surgery, the Yankees placing Max Fried on the injured list while promoting George Lombard Jr., and the Rockies extending Mickey Moniak. The episode additionally covers the Cardinals promoting Joshua Báez and examines the state of the Rockies organization under their new front office.
MLB Trade RumorsReds need pitching and the Rockies just handed them a perfect reunion opportunity
The Cincinnati Reds face a severe pitching shortage after Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the remainder of 2026 and all of 2027, while Chase Burns and Nick Lodolo are dealing with workload and injury concerns respectively. Michael Lorenzen, recently designated for assignment by the Colorado Rockies, presents a potential solution as a former Reds pitcher who has averaged 24 starts and over 125 innings per season since leaving Cincinnati in 2022. Though Lorenzen posted a 4.64 ERA this year and has limited recent relief experience, the Reds' depleted rotation and bullpen could benefit from adding the veteran right-hander.
Blog Red MachineReds just exposed glaring roster problem after latest call-up for Cardinals' doubleheader
The Cincinnati Reds called up 34-year-old left-hander Kent Emanuel to start Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against St. Louis, designating Ron Marinaccio for assignment in the process. Emanuel spent most of the 2026 season in the Atlantic League and had just one appearance for Triple-A Louisville, where he allowed one run and two hits over six innings with eight strikeouts. The move exposes Cincinnati's lack of pitching depth in the minor leagues, with Hunter Greene recovering from Tommy John surgery, Brandon Williamson on a shoulder rehab assignment, and several other arms sidelined at Triple-A. Emanuel has previous MLB experience with Houston and Miami, posting a 1-0 record with a 4.58 ERA across his career.
Blog Red MachineNick Lodolo found the key to changing his Reds future — what took so long?
Nick Lodolo has modified his breaking ball grip after recurring blister problems limited him to just 71⅔ innings in 2026. In his first start back on August 11 against the White Sox, the left-hander threw four innings and struck out five, with his new curveball generating a 73% whiff rate on 11 swings. If Lodolo can maintain the effectiveness of his curveball while avoiding future blisters, it could solve a persistent injury issue that has plagued his career and help address the Reds' depleted rotation with Hunter Greene sidelined for the season.
Blog Red MachineReds should consider this familiar face rather than keeping Brady Singer
Hunter Greene's Tommy John surgery will sideline him for all of 2027, forcing the Cincinnati Reds to address a rotation gap this offseason. While reuniting with free agent Brady Singer seems logical, the article suggests Nick Martinez presents a better option due to financial flexibility and versatility. Martinez, currently with Tampa Bay, has posted a 2.74 ERA over 138 innings this season and could fill a rotation spot or bolster the bullpen as a 36-year-old on a likely one-year deal. The Reds can build their core around Chase Burns, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and potentially Rhett Lowder, with Martinez providing insurance without the long-term commitment Singer would require.
Blog Red MachineHunter Greene’s injury may force Reds into unthinkable Brady Singer decision
Hunter Greene's torn UCL will sideline him for most or all of 2027, leaving the Reds short a rotation arm. The team's decision not to trade Brady Singer at the deadline now appears prescient, as Singer could fill that gap if retained on a qualifying offer worth approximately $23 million. Singer struggled early in 2026 with a 6.18 ERA over his first 11 starts but has pitched significantly better since June 1 with a 3.45 ERA, making a one-year deal potentially reasonable value.
Blog Red MachineHunter Greene's surgery leaves Reds with no choice but to make drastic offseason move
Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery this week and will miss the entire 2027 season with a recovery timeline of 12-18 months. This is Greene's second elbow surgery in less than six months, following arthroscopic surgery earlier in the season that sidelined him for three months. In his five starts after returning, Greene posted a 6.83 ERA across 27⅔ innings. The Reds reportedly had trade discussions with Boston about Greene before the deadline, but his injury significantly diminishes any potential trade value heading into the offseason.
Blog Red MachineHunter Greene Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery on his elbow and is expected to miss the entire 2027 season. This is Greene's second UCL surgery, following a similar procedure in 2019 before his MLB debut. The injury comes during the fourth year of his six-year, $53 million extension, with his 2026 season cut short after just five starts and a 6.83 ERA. When healthy, Greene has been a dominant pitcher, posting a 2.76 ERA with a 29.2% strikeout rate over 45 starts in 2024-25.
MLB Trade RumorsReds Select Michael Toglia
The Reds promoted first baseman/outfielder Michael Toglia from Triple-A Louisville and activated left-handed pitcher Nick Lodolo from the injured list. Toglia, a 27-year-old switch-hitter acquired on a minor league deal over the winter, hit .273 with 22 home runs in 402 plate appearances for Louisville this season after spending parts of four seasons with the Rockies. Lodolo has been sidelined for a month with blister issues but pitched to a 1.35 ERA over his four starts before the injury. The moves came after the Reds transferred Hunter Greene to the 60-day injured list due to an upcoming UCL surgery.
MLB Trade RumorsReds activate Nick Lodolo along with a surprise roster call-up
The Cincinnati Reds activated left-handed pitcher Nick Lodolo from the injured list after he recovered from a blister on his left index finger, requiring only one rehab start at Triple-A Louisville. Lodolo will start Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox and essentially replaces Hunter Greene in the rotation, as Greene underwent season-ending elbow surgery. The Reds also promoted first baseman Michael Toglia from Louisville, a former Colorado Rockies player who signed a minor-league deal with Cincinnati in the offseason and will compete for playing time with Nathaniel Lowe off the roster. To make room, the team optioned reliever Zach McCambley to Triple-A.
Blog Red MachineReds must choose between the easy move and the smart one after optioning Ivan Johnson
The Cincinnati Reds optioned second baseman Ivan Johnson to Triple-A after he went 1-for-12 in limited action this season. The team must now fill the roster spot, with the straightforward option being to recall Edwin Arroyo, who was optioned on July 30 and has now satisfied the 10-day minimum. A more ambitious alternative would be promoting Michael Toglia from Triple-A Louisville, where he's batting .273 with 22 home runs and a 135 wRC+ in 97 games; the Reds could create space by moving pitcher Hunter Greene to the 60-day injured list. Additionally, the Reds are expected to activate pitcher Nick Lodolo from the injured list before Tuesday's game, likely requiring another minor-league option.
Blog Red MachineMarty Brennaman may have just explained why the Reds' trade deadline was so quiet
Former Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman suggested that general manager Nick Krall may have staked his job on the team's playoff chances by making no moves at the trade deadline despite the roster being five games under .500. Brennaman implied that Krall's future with the organization could depend on whether Cincinnati makes the postseason, a difficult proposition given the team's record, the toughest strength of schedule in baseball, and injuries to pitchers Hunter Greene and Chase Burns. Krall has led the Reds' baseball operations since 2018 and was named president of baseball operations in 2023, but the team has largely underperformed during his tenure.
Blog Red MachineReds Claim Ron Marinaccio, Chase Solesky
The Reds claimed right-handers Ron Marinaccio and Chase Solesky off waivers from the Pirates and Rays, respectively, while opening roster spots by transferring outfielder Blake Dunn to the 60-day injured list following internal brace surgery. Marinaccio, 31, has regressed this season with a 4.99 ERA across 52 1/3 innings with the Padres and Pirates and will join Cincinnati's bullpen, while Solesky, 28, was sent to Triple-A Louisville after making one major league appearance. The moves come as the Reds deal with rotation depth issues following Hunter Greene's return to the injured list, with Nick Lodolo potentially returning next week.
MLB Trade RumorsReds Place Hunter Greene On Injured List
Hunter Greene has been placed on the injured list after experiencing right elbow soreness during a side session on Tuesday, marking his return to the IL just weeks after missing the first three months of the season for a procedure to remove loose bodies from the same elbow. The Reds have not provided a diagnosis or return timeline, and Greene will visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache for further evaluation. The injury compounds Cincinnati's struggles as the team sits at 54-58, five games out of a playoff spot, and recently made modest trades at the deadline. With Greene sidelined, the Reds' rotation is reduced to Chase Burns, Brady Singer, Rhett Lowder, and Andrew Abbott, though Nick Lodolo and Brandon Williamson are progressing through rehab assignments.
MLB Trade Rumors