Hunter Greene Undergoes MRI on Right Elbow, Reds Await Results

This article recaps the Cincinnati Reds’ latest health update on ace Hunter Greene. He’ll undergo an MRI after renewed stiffness in his right elbow.

The piece looks at the medical plan, possible procedures, and what this means for the Reds’ rotation and payroll. There are also questions about the depth behind a young, high-ceiling staff arm.

Medical update: MRI plans, doctors and potential procedures

Greene’s stiffness resurfaced after a quiet offseason. The issue actually started late last season.

He’d received an injection and said his offseason felt normal, but the elbow discomfort came back. Team physician Timothy Kremchek will check him out, and Greene plans to get a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who’s well-known in the field.

Greene said his ulnar collateral ligament looked fine during a recent exam. He did mention some bone spurs in the elbow.

So far, he’s managed those bone spurs without surgery. Greene wouldn’t commit to making his first start of the season, and he hinted that any needed procedure would happen early to save most of the year.

When healthy, Greene’s been a force. Over the past two seasons, injuries have limited him, but he started 45 games with a 2.76 ERA, a 29.2% strikeout rate, an 8.1% walk rate, a 33.5% ground-ball rate, and a 15.4% swinging-strike rate in 2025.

He’s ranked among the league’s best in several categories. Still, durability is a real concern.

Greene’s contract and what it means for rotation planning

Greene is in year four of a six-year, $53 million extension. He’ll make $8 million this season, with bigger salaries coming in 2027-28 and a club option for 2029.

His uncertain status throws a wrench into Cincinnati’s rotation depth. The group already includes Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer, plus prospects Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder.

Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said the club isn’t planning to chase free agents to replace Greene. Instead, they’ll look at waivers or trades, which makes sense after a busy offseason and some payroll limits.

This puts more pressure on internal development. The Reds need Burns and Lowder to turn their potential into big league results if Greene’s situation drags out.

Rotation depth under pressure: evaluating the Reds’ alternatives

Greene’s health puts Cincinnati’s rotation depth on the spot. Abbott and Lodolo have shown flashes, and Singer brings some big-league experience.

Burns and Lowder offer upside, but their injury histories and lack of MLB experience make things unpredictable. The team has to juggle short-term health and long-term development, especially with a tight budget.

Key factors Reds fans should monitor

• Progress of Greene’s MRI and any decisions about a procedure, which will decide if he returns quickly or misses significant time.
• Updates from Dr. ElAttrache and any changes to the treatment plan if surgery isn’t needed for the bone spurs.
• How the Reds use their rotation depth if Greene is out longer than expected, and whether Burns or Lowder get a real shot at the majors.

What this means for Cincinnati’s approach to the season

The immediate priority is figuring out what’s really going on with Greene’s health. People want a realistic timeline for his return, but that’s still up in the air.

The club isn’t rushing to sign a free agent, which kind of shows they trust their own guys and want to stay flexible with the budget. Fans have to wonder: can Cincinnati actually keep their playoff hopes alive without making a big move while Greene recovers?

The Reds are staring down a critical stretch. Greene’s recovery, how their young pitchers step up, and whether reinforcements show up later in the season will all play a huge role.

Over the next few weeks, everyone’s watching for updates—maybe even talk of surgery. Abbott, Lodolo, Singer, Burns, and Lowder need to hold things together if Cincinnati’s going to survive a rough start and still think big-picture.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Hunter Greene To Undergo MRI On Right Elbow