The Cincinnati Reds’ slim playoff chances likely took a significant hit with the placement of pitcher Hunter Greene on the 15-day injured list with elbow soreness. announced the movement Through social media on Saturday.
Greene, 25, was having a standout performance in his third MLB season. The right-hander was named to his first All-Star team this season, one of two All-Star representatives for the Reds along with shortstop Elly De La Cruz. Since the All-Star break, Greene was 3-0 with a 1.09 ERA and was working his way toward NL Cy Young Award consideration.
In 24 starts, he has compiled a 9-4 record and a 2.83 ERA with 162 strikeouts in 143 1/3 innings. His ERA ranks third among National League starters, while his strikeout total is fifth-best. However, he has struggled with his control, issuing 53 walks and leading MLB with 19 hit batters.
The severity of Greene’s elbow issue won’t be known until he undergoes imaging tests, according to Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall. Greene underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019.
“We put him on the injured list for precautionary reasons,” Krall said. via MLB.com“We’ll do an MRI in the next few days and try to figure it out.”
Greene felt pain in his elbow while playing catch on Monday. according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The AthleticHe started Tuesday, pitching seven innings and allowing one run on four hits and eight strikeouts. Greene reportedly felt some discomfort after the start, but said it wasn’t an issue again until Saturday.
With a 60-63 record, Cincinnati is fourth in the NL Central, 11 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers. The Reds are 4 1/2 games out of the final wild-card spot in the NL. However, with four teams ahead of them in the wild-card standings, including the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs from their own division, the Reds faced a difficult climb toward a playoff bid.