Cincinnati Reds Ace Hunter Greene Likely Out Through 2027 Season

Cincinnati Reds Ace Hunter Greene Likely Out Through 2027 Season
Gina Alexander

The Cincinnati Reds have received some significant and difficult news regarding their pitching rotation. The team is likely to lose ace pitcher Hunter Greene for the remainder of the current season, as well as the entirety of the 2027 campaign.

According to official reports, Greene underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. This procedure marks the second time the talented right-hander has required this specific surgery, a significant setback for both the player and the organization.

The standard recovery timeline for a second Tommy John procedure typically ranges between 12 and 18 months. Consequently, the team is preparing for the reality that Greene will be sidelined through the 2027 season. This latest injury follows a challenging year for the California native, who had already missed the start of the 2026 season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in March to remove bone chips and loose bodies from the same elbow.

Greene had reported persistent soreness in his elbow in early August. While he initially attempted to manage the discomfort, believing it to be a normal part of his recovery from the earlier arthroscopic procedure, a subsequent MRI and a second opinion in Los Angeles confirmed the severity of the damage.

Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall addressed the situation, noting that Greene had been dealing with soreness on and off for several weeks. "At the same time, it wasn’t something he brought to anyone’s attention because he thought it was just, ‘Hey, you’re coming off the bone chip surgery. You’re just going to push through it,’” Krall explained.

The loss of Greene comes at a critical juncture for the Reds, who are currently fighting to remain relevant in the National League Central race. With a 58-62 record, the team faces an uphill battle as they look to navigate the remainder of the season without their ace.