Reds dealt brutal Hunter Greene setback but a forgotten arm could step up

Though nothing is official, it sounds as if Hunter Greene will not be part of the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day roster. Greene has been shut down from throwing and is visiting two doctors this week after experiencing elbow discomfort. Even if the impending MRI comes back clean, it's difficult to see Greene having enough time to ramp up before the start of the 2026 season.

That turns the spring competition for the Reds' fifth starter into a battle for two spots rather than just one. Most casual observers believe the contest is a two-horse race between Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder, but Brandon Williamson may have something to say before it's all said and done.

Brandon Williamson still has a shot to make the Reds Opening Day roster

Much like Burns and Lowder, Williamson is a former top prospect, and after missing the 2025 season due to injury, he's ready to prove that he can return to the pitcher he was during his rookie campaign in 2023. The left-hander started 23 games that season — second only to Graham Ashcraft — and posted a 4.46 ERA over 117 innings of work.

But Williamson battled injury in 2024 and after finally returning to the active roster in September, lasted only four outings before suffering yet another brutal blow. The lefty exited a game on September 17 against the Atlanta Braves after tearing his UCL. He underwent Tommy John surgery later that fall and spent all last year rehabbing.

Williamson has been on point this spring. He's made two appearances thus far, has walked just one batter, and has six punch outs across four innings of work. He's allowed two runs on three hits, including a home run. By contrast, Burns struck out seven but issued five free passes during his first two outings this spring. Lowder has racked up seven Ks, walked two, and allowed just one run on two hits.

Obviously, when speaking about both Williamson and Lowder, the notion of an innings restriction comes up. Both pitchers missed all of last season due to injury, but according to Williamson, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister foresees him being able to cross 100 innings in 2026, so there shouldn't be any concern at the outset of the season.

Reds manager Terry Francona will have a few more weeks before deciding who opens the year on the big league roster and who's ticketed for Triple-A. Tito said earlier this spring of Williamson, "I told him, ‘I don’t want to take away your competitiveness, but we’re also going to keep an eye on you,’ because of what he’s been through. And he knows that.”

It's not often that you see three left-handed starters as part of a team's rotation — the Reds also have Andrew Abbott and Nick Lodolo — but it's certainly on the table for the Reds in 2026. The next couple of weeks will be quite telling, but Williamson cannot be completely dismissed.