Reds News: Hunter Greene's next start, Emilio Pagán progressing, Pierce Johnson rehab

Given the current state of the Cincinnati Reds, the fanbase could certainly use some good news. Thankfully, the latest round of injury updates provides a positive bit of information for Reds Country, and that doesn't even include Elly De La Cruz's home run during his first rehab appearance with the Louisville Bats on Friday night.

Hunter Greene was back on the mound earlier this week, and went four innings in game for ACL Reds out in Arizona. The fireballer tossed four inning, and allowed just two hits while racking up six punch outs along the way. Greene consistently was hitting the upper 90s with this fastball, and even blew past 100 mph on occasion.

Reds News: Hunter Greene could be activated from the IL in less than two weeks

The next step in Greene's rehab has him ticketed for a start this coming week with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate in Louisville. Look for Greene to be toeing the rubber once again on Tuesday, June 23 for the Bats when they take on the St. Paul Saints at Louisville Slugger Field.

After that, Greene is expected to take the mound one more time for the Bats next Sunday, and if everything looks (and feels) good, Reds fans could see him activated before the team's weekend series during the Fourth of July holiday against the Baltimore Orioles.

The Reds need Greene back atop the rotation. Without him, the Reds' starters have the fifth-highest walk rate (9.9%) in all of baseball, while ranking 18th in ERA (4.50), and 28th in both strikeout rate (18.9%) and FIP (4.91).

Reds News: Emilio Pagán throws live BP, Pierce Johnson begins rehab assignment

While the Reds' starting rotation is undoubtedly missing their ace, Cincinnati's bullpen has been without their closer for the better part of a month. Emilio Pagán suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain at the beginning of May, and many fans feared his season was over.

Thankfully, Pagán's prognosis was not so severe, and he faced live hitters prior to Friday's game against the New York Yankees. It was the first time since his injury that Pagán tossed live BP and he's expected to follow that up with another session early next week. If he comes out of that unscathed, a rehab outing could be in the near future.

Another Reds reliever just began his rehab assignment on Friday. Pierce Johnson joined De La Cruz on the Bats' trip to Gwinnett and logged one inning of work. He faced four batters and allowed one run on two hits to go along with one strikeout. Johnson could be back in the Reds bullpen as soon as Sunday's series finale against the Yankees.

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