Reds need Hunter Greene to answer the one question that never goes away

Cincinnati Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall recently said the team is just trying to keep their heads above water right now. That's not the type of language that usually instills confidence into a fanbase, but it's simply the reality of where the Reds are at this moment.

The Reds are 31-31, but interestingly enough, Cincinnati was 30-32 at this time last season and somehow found their way into the postseason. While most fans would agree that the club's goals for 2026 are much higher than they were last year, the fact of the matter is that the Reds are just two games back in the NL Wild Card standings.

Help could soon be on the way in the form of All-Star starter Hunter Greene. The right-hander underwent elbow surgery in March and could be back as soon as next month. Greene already threw a bullpen session during the team's last homestand, and a rehab assignment could be on tap in the near future.

But banking on a healthy Greene to save the Reds' season isn't exactly a wise strategy. When healthy, Greene is arguably one of the top pitchers in the league. The problem is, he's yet to string together a healthy campaign, and this year's extended stint on the injured list is just the latest example of Greene's fragility.

The Reds need the All-Star version of Hunter Greene when he returns

Cincinnati has little choice in the matter, however. Coming into the year, the hope was that Greene would lead a cadre of starting pitchers toward playing baseball in October. Instead, the rotation has been plagued by injuries and poor performance. Outside of Chase Burns — who'll undoubtedly have his innings restricted at some point this season — Cincinnati's rotation has been mostly underwhelming.

There's little doubt that a healthy-version of a Reds rotation that features Greene, Burns, Nick Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder, and Brady Singer would be among the very best in the entire league. But that's a big gamble considering that every pitcher outside of Singer has an injury-riddled track record.

Greene is the straw that stirs the drink. Much like Burns right now, Greene is a difference-maker and the Reds are feeling his absence is a big way. They can't rush him back too soon, because when he's back on the bump, it's go time.

In other words, the Reds don't just need Greene to fill a spot in the rotation, they need him to be the Cy Young-type of pitcher everyone in that organization knows him to be.

That's a mighty big ask, but as the leader of the rotation and one of the top talents on this team, that's the expectation. Based on Greene's recent comments, he wouldn't have it any other way.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow