MLB Star Pitcher Gets Bad News Just Before the Season

Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene put a scare into his fans Wednesday morning when he revealed he is dealing with a sore pitching elbow. 

While it is unclear how severe the injury might be, the hard-throwing right-hander told reporters on the scene he will get an MRI. 

Seeking a second opinion  

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported Greene will be getting an evaluation for what is being termed “right elbow stiffness,” that it turns out is not new. 

Reds ace Hunter Greene is going to seek evaluations for what is being termed right elbow stiffness, which is something he said he’s been dealing with since toward the end of last season. More info coming by Tuesday, per team. More to come. @Enquirer

— Pat Brennan (@PBrennanENQ) March 4, 2026

Greene told reporters he began dealing with the problem last summer but did not want to miss the Reds’ push for the playoffs. 

That ended up being successful — Cincinnati made the postseason for the first time since 2020, then got swept by the Dodgers in the first round — but at what cost? 

Greene’s comments indicated he does not feel tests will reveal a serious injury, but he also made it sound like he could miss the start of the season. 

“I don’t know. I’m not sure,” Greene said according to Cincinnati-based sports reporter Charlie Goldsmith in Arizona for spring training. “Either way, I’m looking forward to… If something has to be done, it’s early and we’ll get it out of the way quick and can have the big chunk of the season. If we have a playoff push, I’ll be ready to go.”

Greene indicated that previous tests revealed no ligament damage but did show he has bone spurs in his elbow. 

“I know I have bone spurs,” Greene told reporters. “As of now, there’s no UCL damage. Hopefully it’s just that and we get that taken care of and I can get back out there.” 

What are bone spurs?

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, bone spurs can develop as an overgrowth caused by the throwing motion.

They can be removed via arthroscopic surgery, which comes with a quicker recovery time than reconstructive surgery for a torn ligament. 

For example, Braves pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach underwent an arthroscopy last month for bone spurs and manager Walt Weiss told reporters he could return at some point in June (or later).

A torn UCL would require reconstructive surgery and cause Greene to miss 6-9 months. 

Greene is great when available  

Unfortunately for Greene and the Reds, health has been a big part of his professional career. 

The No. 2 pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Greene was considered a two-way prospect coming out of high school in Los Angeles. 

He opted to become a full-time pitcher and made a splash with the Dayton Dragons (Reds Class A affiliate) in 2018, but that season came to an early end because of a sprained elbow. 

The following spring, he underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL and missed two seasons since the 2020 minor league season was canceled as a result of COVID-19. 

Greene made his MLB debut in April 2022 and has shown signs of being one of baseball’s best pitchers — when healthy. 

Greene has done seven stints on the injured list since coming to the majors, including two last year when he dealt with a right groin issue. 

Overall, Greene is 25-29 with a 3.65 ERA in 91 starts for the Reds. 

The last two seasons, he is 16-9 with a sub-.3.00 ERA over 300 strikeouts. 

Greene made the All-Star Game in 2024 when he posted a 6.2 WAR. 

What would the Reds do without Greene?

On the bright side, the Reds have a deep starting pitching staff, even if Greene is not available to start the season. 

Brady Singer, Nick Lodolo, and Andrew Abbott are established starters, and recent first-round picks Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns are also competing for spots in the rotation this spring.