Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene will undergo arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday to remove bone chips from his right elbow, the team announced Tuesday. The procedure, performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, carries a recovery timeline of 14-16 weeks, potentially sidelining Greene until July. The 26-year-old ace reported elbow stiffness after his spring training debut last week.
The Cincinnati Reds revealed on Tuesday that Hunter Greene, their 26-year-old right-handed starter, requires surgery to address bone chips and loose bodies in his right elbow. The arthroscopic procedure is scheduled for Wednesday in Los Angeles, conducted by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who previously performed Tommy John surgery on Greene in 2019 while he was in the minors. Greene underwent an MRI last Friday after experiencing stiffness following his spring training debut on February 28 against the Brewers, where he allowed four runs in one inning but publicly stated, “I feel great. I feel strong.”
The diagnosis was initially made by team orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tim Kremchek and confirmed Monday by ElAttrache. Baseball operations president Nick Krall noted the positive aspect: “It’s definitely good news compared to what it could have been. You’re thinking the worst. The [ulnar collateral] ligament looked intact and good. So that’s a positive.” Greene addressed the issue on social media, writing, “It’s important that this procedure take place now instead of trying to pitch through it, not be sharp on the mound and risk further injury. Trust me, nobody is more frustrated than I am.”
This injury traces back to late last season, though Greene pitched effectively, including a one-hit complete-game shutout against the Cubs on September 18. In his postseason debut on September 30 against the Dodgers, he surrendered five earned runs over three innings. Postseason, Greene consulted ElAttrache on October 28 and received a platelet-rich plasma injection instead of surgery. Krall explained, “He went to see Dr. ElAttrache on Oct. 28. They recommended PRP at that time and an injection, and that’s what he had.” Symptoms resurfaced before spring training.
Greene, a 2024 All-Star who signed a six-year, $53 million contract in April 2023, has faced recurring injuries: a 2025 groin strain sidelined him for 2.5 months in his second stint; a 2024 bruised elbow cost five weeks; 2023 hip pain two months; and a 2022 shoulder strain six weeks. Last season, he went 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA in 19 starts, striking out 132 in 107 2/3 innings. In 2024, he posted a 160 ERA+ over 150 1/3 innings, finishing eighth in NL Cy Young voting.
Manager Terry Francona reflected on Greene's discretion: “He never told me any of that. I know he mentioned it to [pitching coach Derek Johnson]. But he was always telling me he was good.” Krall dismissed trade rumors and emphasized, “We’re just trying to figure out how to get him back as soon as possible and help this team win.” The Reds, who reached the playoffs with 83 wins last year, plan to cover Greene's absence internally with pitchers like Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, Nick Lodolo, Brett Lowder, and Chase Burns. A healthy return could bolster their rotation like a deadline acquisition, Krall said.
