Reds may extend bizarre Opening Day streak after Hunter Greene injury

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene won't return to the mound until at least next week, and depending on the results of his upcoming MRI, that timeline could be extended even further. Greene recently reported stiffness in his elbow — an injury he claims dates all the way back to last August — and will see two doctors over the next week.

Greene was the Reds Opening Day starter last season, and had he not suffered this recent setback, seemed poised to receive that honor once again. But he's made just one appearance this spring, and has only thrown 37 pitches in Cactus League play.

As such, it seems unlikely — even if he doesn't go on the injured list — that Greene will have enough time to ramp up his pitch count in order to be the Reds Opening Day starter on March 26 against the Boston Red Sox. Most fans would probably assume that either Andrew Abbott or Nick Lodolo will be named the Reds 2026 Opening Day starter.

The Reds Opening Day starter streak is nothing to be proud of

If Greene misses the first game of 2026, it will mark the 11th year in a row the Reds have trotted out a different Opening Day starter from the previous season. The last time a Reds pitcher made back-to-back Opening Day starts was on April 6, 2015 when Johnny Cueto toed the rubber against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Cueto's outing in 2015 marked his fourth consecutive Opening Day start, a feat matched by the likes of Aaron Harang, Mario Soto, Jose Rijo, and Pete Donohue. Both Harang and Donohue made five consecutive Opening Day starts during their tenure with the Reds.

Greene was the Reds 2023 Opening Day starter, and Cincinnati had the opportunity to send him to the mound for back-to-back starts in 2024, but chose instead to allow Frankie Montas to take ball against the Washington Nationals for the first game of the season.

Moving beyond the starting pitcher, only three Reds players are likely to open the 2026 season at the same positions they played on Opening Day last season. If healthy, Matt McLain (second base), Elly De La Cruz (shortstop), and TJ Friedl (center field) are all expected to be on the field on March 26 against the Red Sox. Spencer Steer was in the Opening Day lineup as well, but was the team's designated hitter. He'll likely be at first base or in the outfield this season.