It is a tale as old as time, unfortunately. This week we learned that Hunter Greene will be undergoing surgery to repair a damaged UCL in his throwing arm, ending his 2026 MLB season, and even putting 2027 in jeopardy (assuming we even have a season next year, given the potential looming lockout).
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Greene previously had pre-season arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow. Reds fans hoped that was the end of the injury rollercoaster this year for Hunter. Those hopes were dashed as earlier this week he began feeling soreness again during a bullpen session after pushing through discomfort. After early assessments, Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall informed the media that Greene’s ligament was failing and that surgery was the only option, though he would not comment on the extent of the injury or any recovery timetables until after doctors perform the procedure.
What Does Hunter Greene’s UCL Surgery Mean for the Reds?
It is yet another sad end to a season for Greene and Reds fans, who have been waiting so long for him to stay healthy long enough to capitalize on the talent he clearly possesses. But it was simply not to be.
After making his season debut on July 4, Greene struggled on the mound, posting a 6.83 ERA over five starts, going 2-2 before being shut down. The 2017 No. 2 overall pick has spent time on the injured list in each of his five MLB seasons (along with 2019 Tommy John surgery). His standout year came in 2024, when he earned an All-Star selection and finished 8th in NL Cy Young voting with a 2.75 ERA and a 9-5 record.
However, since that season, he’s only started just 24 games, going 9-6 with a 3.59 ERA over 135 innings.
Pitching at the major league level is fraught with risk and injuries are an unfortunate part of that calculus. At this point, after so many significant injuries it is fair to ask whether Greene has a significant role to play in the Reds long-term future and just how much he can realistically be counted on to anchor the top of their rotation. It’s the same question that has plagued Nick Lodolo’s tenure with the Reds, as blister and other injuries have sidelined him for the better part of 2026 after missing chunks of time in 2023 and 2024.
Could Chase Burns Become the Reds’ New Ace?
Chase Burns is on the rise, but he is just 23 and still working on conditioning his arm to pitch deep into major league seasons. The Reds are taking the smart approach in playing it safe with his innings limits, and the reality of it may be that he is the one that has to lead this pitching staff in Greene’s extended absence.
Greene was reportedly on the trade market this past month, though nothing materialized. This latest surgery might put to bed any serious talk of moving him for an ace-level return. He is currently playing on what has been seen as a very team-friendly 6-year, $53 million dollar contract, though the value of that contract may likely be reevaluated based on just what Greene does when he returns to the mound, whether in 2027 or beyond.
