Tarik Skubal’s rapid recovery could have Reds fans rethinking Hunter Greene timeline

Detroit Tigers All-Star pitcher is way ahead of schedule after undergoing arthoscopic elbow surgery earlier this month. The two-time Cy Young Award-winner had a loose body removed from his left elbow on May 6, and is slated to throw a bullpen session not even two weeks after undergoing the procedure.

Skubal's rapidly changing timeline, could have Reds fans asking if Hunter Greene can do the same? The Cincinnati Reds' star pitcher has been out of commission since the start of the 2026 season after undergoing a very similar procedure on March 11. Greene began a throwing program at the end of April, and is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session later this month.

Tarik Skubal's recovery could give Reds fans hope for Hunter Greene's quick return

It must be stated that every player is different in terms of their recovery, and Greene has been one who's been overly cautious when it comes to rehab and injury concerns in the past. The last thing the Reds want to do is rush this process and further complicate his recovery. At the same time, Cincinnati's rotation is a mess, in part due to Greene's absence.

Greene and Brandon Williamson are both on the 60-day injured list, and Rhett Lowder recently landed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder pain. Down on the farm, Chase Petty has been battling a blister issue on his right hand, and fellow pitching prospect Julian Aguiar is on the seven-day IL. With so few options, the Reds recently turned to journeyman pitcher Chris Paddack to start on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians.

Skubal is transferring his rehab assignment from the Tigers' facility in Lakeland, Florida and will rejoin his teammates in Detroit this week. Greene is about a week-and-half behind that timeline, and is expected to return to Cincinnati by May 29.

The initial timeline for Greene's recovery was expected to be 11-14 weeks, which put him at a return some time in July. Unlike Skubal, Greene missed almost all of spring training, and will need some extra time to ramp up before returning to the active roster. Assuming the Reds' fireballer will be back before July is a bold supposition, but it's certainly something to be mindful of as the process moves along.

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