Reds Injury Update: Hunter Greene treatment, Austin Hays shut down, Carson Spiers

Cincinnati Reds shouldn't expect to see starting pitcher Hunter Greene anytime soon. The same probably holds true for outfielder Austin Hays as well. Both players are currently on the injured list, and the most recent updates don't paint a pretty picture.

Greene suffered a groin injury earlier this month and was placed on the IL. The Reds' ace, seeking a second opinion, headed out to California earlier this week. The result was an epidural injection to help relieve pain Greene was feeling in his back and confirmation of the original groin strain Cincinnati's medical staff diagnosed over a week ago.

As for Hays, his prognosis is just as bleak. The Reds outfielder fouled a ball off his foot several games back, and has yet to return to the lineup. Initial testing revealed that Hays suffered a foot contusion, but the veteran's rehab was halted after he still felt pain while running.

Reds Injury Update: Hunter Greene and Austin Hays shut down

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer, Hays received two days off, but the pain in his foot still exists. The next step is for Hays to shut down any and all rehab activity before attempting to restart the process in a few days. The assumption from the Reds medical staff is that Hays suffered a deep bone bruise, and until he's pain-free, fans shouldn't expect to see him back in the lineup.

The Reds are down two of the best players with both Greene and Hays on the IL. Greene was tracking toward his second All-Star nod before landing on the IL for the second time this season, and Hays had been Terry Francona's most consistent hitter.

If you're looking for a measure of good news amid the troublesome updates surrounding Greene and Hays, starting pitcher Carson Spiers recently completed his second bullpen session and is likely ticketed for a rehab assignment sometime later this month.

The Reds have been without Spiers since mid-April. The right-hander landed on the 15-day IL with a right shoulder impingement and was later shifted to the 60-day IL in order to clear a roster spot for Garrett Hampson.

With Greene out of commission and Rhett Lowder on the IL, the Reds' starting depth beyond top prospect Chase Burns is rather thin. Getting Spiers back on the field will bring some added length to a rotation that currently has 38-year-old Wade Miley as the team's No. 5 starter.

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