Hunter Greene's concerning injury could thrust unheralded Reds prospect into rotation

The Cincinnati Reds have been snakebitten by injuries all season, but the latest news may be the worst yet. Reds' ace and Cy Young contender Hunter Greene was placed on the 15-day IL elbow soreness.

According to Reds' President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall, the move was precautionary and Greene will undergo an MRI in the next few days. This is a major blow to a Reds team that has been fighting and clawing to get back above .500 and into the thick of the NL Wild Card race. But without Greene, those dreams may be shattered.

Greene's placement on the IL came without a corresponding roster move. The Reds were throttled by the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night at home and close out the series on Sunday with Andrew Abbott toeing the rubber for Cincinnati. Greene was slated to take the hill on Monday, but the Reds now need a replacement. Look for unheralded pitching prospect Julian Aguiar to get the call.

Reds prospect Julian Aguiar should replace Hunter Greene in the starting rotation

Aguiar is currently at Triple-A Louisville and last pitched on Tuesday. If Aguiar is not back on the bump for the Louisville Bats' series finale against the Omaha Storm Chasers on Sunday, that's a signal that he could be joining the Reds in Toronto for their upcoming series against the Blue Jays.

Aguiar handled his business at Double-A Chattanooga earlier this season, going 2-3 in 13 starts with a 3.38 ERA and 3.87 FIP. Aguiar has since made the jump to Triple-A and in nine starts owns a 4.40 ERA and 20.6% strikeout rate.

While some Reds fans would love to see Rhett Lowder or Chase Petty get the call, look for Aguiar to make his MLB debut instead. Brandon Williamson, if he were fully healthy, would likely have supplanted Greene in the rotation, but the left-hander has yet to start a rehab assignment after being sidelined all season with a shoulder injury.

Injuries to Williamson and Graham Ashcraft, trading Frankie Montas, and Connor Phillips' lack of development will have the Reds grasping for straws this week. The Reds could turn to Lyon Richardson, but he's been serving more of a hybrid role for the Bats of late. Aguiar would seem like the logical choice, but since he's not yet part of the 40-man roster, a corresponding move would have to be made.

Losing Greene is a gut-punch to a Reds team that was hoping to make a late-season push to get back to the postseason. A series loss to the Royals this weekend coupled with the loss of their ace may have ended the Reds' playoff hopes altogether.

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