Cincinnati Reds star pitcher Hunter Greene is facing a significant setback as he prepares to undergo right elbow surgery that could sideline him for up to four months. The Reds announced on Tuesday that Greene was diagnosed with bone chips and loose bodies in his elbow, issues that were discovered following an MRI last week. The MRI was prompted by Greene leaving a spring training game due to stiffness in his right elbow, raising concerns about his health ahead of the upcoming season.
Greene addressed the situation directly in a heartfelt statement posted to his Instagram Stories. He revealed that he began experiencing discomfort in his elbow toward the end of the 2025 season but chose to continue pitching in hopes of helping the Reds reach the postseason. After the season concluded, Greene underwent an MRI in Los Angeles, which identified the bone fragments in his elbow. Initially, he was advised to pursue standard treatment methods. For a time, Greene felt no pain and began his offseason throwing program feeling strong and optimistic about his recovery.
However, as he approached the start of spring training and intensified his throwing regimen, the pain returned. Greene described the discomfort as a sharp, stabbing pain that interfered with his ability to finish and execute pitches effectively. He explained that the irritation in his elbow made it impossible to pitch without pain, and ultimately, he needed surgery to remove the bone spurs causing the problem.
“All I want to do is play the game I love and compete with my brothers as we take on the 2026 season,” Greene said in his statement. “But 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.” He confirmed that he will undergo the operation on Wednesday, marking a crucial step toward his full recovery.
Hunter Greene is widely regarded as one of the hardest throwers in Major League Baseball. During the 2025 season, he posted an impressive 2.76 ERA and struck out 132 batters over 19 starts. However, his season was hampered by a right groin strain that forced him to miss time and sidelined him until mid-August. Despite his injury struggles, Greene’s performance remained a bright spot for the Reds.
The Cincinnati Reds finished the 2025 season with an 83-79 record, placing third in the National League Central division. While the team fell short of a playoff berth, Greene’s continued development and dominance on the mound provided hope for the future.
At 26 years old, Greene is still in the early prime of his career. He was an All-Star in 2024, a season in which he recorded a 2.75 ERA with 169 strikeouts. That year, he also dealt with right elbow soreness and spent some time on the injured list, signaling that arm issues had been a recurring concern. The decision to have surgery now reflects both the severity of the current problem and a desire to prevent long-term damage by addressing it promptly rather than risking further injury by pitching through the pain.
The Reds and their fans will be hoping for a smooth surgery and a full recovery for Greene, who is a cornerstone of their pitching staff and a key figure in their plans for the future. His velocity and strikeout ability make him one of the most exciting young pitchers in the game, and his health will be crucial to Cincinnati’s success in the coming years.
The news of Greene’s surgery comes as a blow to the Reds’ offseason preparations but underscores the importance of prioritizing player health. With a recovery timeline of up to four months, Greene is expected to miss a significant portion of spring training and possibly the start of the regular season. The Reds will need to adjust their pitching rotation accordingly as they await his return.
This development also highlights the physical toll that pitching at the highest level can take, even on young and talented athletes like Greene. Bone chips and loose bodies in the elbow are common issues that can cause pain and limit a pitcher’s effectiveness, often requiring surgical intervention to resolve.
As Greene embarks on his recovery journey, the baseball community will be watching closely. His resilience and work ethic have been evident throughout his career, and many expect him to come back stronger once he has fully healed. For now, the focus is on ensuring that the surgery goes well and that Greene has the time and support needed to make a complete recovery.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. For more updates on Hunter Greene and other