Cincinnati Reds righty Hunter Greene undergoes second Tommy John surgery, will miss 2027 season

Cincinnati Reds right‑handed pitcher Hunter Greene will miss the entire 2027 season after undergoing a second Tommy John procedure, the team announced Thursday. The surgery followed renewed elbow problems that emerged after an arthroscopic process in March to remove bony chips and spurs. That earlier operation had kept him sidelined until July 4, when he returned to the mound after months of rehabilitation. The Reds initially hoped his latest elbow issue could be managed with an internal brace, but further evaluation led doctors to perform another UCL reconstruction. Greene originally underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 while he was still in the minor leagues. At 27 years old, Greene made only five starts this season and finished with a 2‑2 record, a 6.83 ERA and 27 2/3 innings pitched. The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft had established himself as one of Cincinnati’s premier starters in 2024, earning his first All‑Star appearance while posting a 2.75 ERA over 26 starts. For his career, he holds a 27‑31 record with a 3.82 ERA and 650 strikeouts in 523 1/3 innings. The injury also complicates the Reds’ long‑term rotation plans. Greene is in the fourth year of a six‑year, $53 million contract that runs from 2023 through 2028, with a $21 million club option for 2029. Cincinnati had viewed him alongside Chase Burns as a possible foundation of its pitching staff, but Greene’s extended absence will force the club to seek additional innings and reassess its plans for the upcoming season. Editorial credit: EQRoy / Shutterstock.com