Greene’s Disastrous 2026 Debut Damps Hopes for Cincinnati Comeback
The long-awaited return of Cincinnati Reds’ ace Hunter Greene did not go as planned. Activated from the 60-day injured list on July 4 after recovering from surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow, Greene made his season debut against the Baltimore Orioles on July 5. The right-hander surrendered a career-high-tying eight earned runs on seven hits and four walks over just 3.1 innings. He struck out seven but also served up a three-run home run to Samuel Basallo in the first inning and allowed a two-run double to Adley Rutschman in the fourth before being lifted.
“I was making great pitches,” Greene said after the loss. “I was getting to his hands. He doesn’t like the ball inside. I was definitely beating him, and I just wasn’t able to put him away.” The outing was exacerbated by a nine-pitch walk to Pete Alonso in the first inning, which ballooned Greene’s pitch count early and prevented him from settling into a rhythm. The Reds fell 8-5, dropping to 40-47 on the season, last in the NL Central.
Greene’s second start comes Friday night at home against the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs activated left-hander Shōta Imanaga to oppose Greene, with the Cubs lineup featuring Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman. Greene’s first outing was so brief that manager Terry Francona pulled him after 29 pitches in the fourth inning, leaving the Reds to wonder if their former ace can regain his form in time to make a difference.
The Stakes: A Season Slipping Away
The Reds’ season has spiraled since a hot start. After beginning the year with promise, Cincinnati has gone 20-36 since May 1, a skid that has left them with the third-worst record in the National League. The bullpen has been leaky, the lineup punchless, and the rotation has missed Greene’s presence. Greene had emerged as the staff ace over the previous two seasons, but injuries have limited his availability. In 2025, multiple groin strains held him to just 107 2/3 innings.
Now the team faces a difficult question: Can Greene salvage the season, or is it already too late? The Reds have not made the playoffs since 2020, and this year’s collapse has put manager Terry Francona and the front office under scrutiny. While Greene’s stuff remains elite—he still averages 99 mph on his fastball and features a plus slider—the command and durability that once made him a top prospect have been inconsistent. The team activated him alongside right-hander Chase Burns, but the rotation remains unsettled. Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, Nick Lodolo, and Rhett Lowder have all struggled, and Lowder may be optioned to Triple-A to stay stretched out as a starter.
To make room on the roster for Greene, the Reds designated outfielder Will Benson for assignment. Benson, once a breakout candidate after hitting .275/.365/.498 in 2023, has slashed just .200/.279/.390 over the last two seasons. The move signals a willingness to cut ties with underperforming players as the organization evaluates its core for 2027.
Broader Implications for the Reds’ Future
Greene’s return is more than just a midseason storyline; it’s a referendum on the Reds’ long-term strategy. The 26-year-old is under team control through 2027 and has been viewed as the cornerstone of the rebuild. But two straight seasons with major injuries—first a groin issue, now elbow surgery—raise questions about his ability to stay healthy. The Reds must decide whether to build around Greene and Burns or pivot toward a larger rebuild.
Saturday’s start was a microcosm of Greene’s career: electric stuff undone by walks and long counts. In the first inning, he threw 24 pitches, largely because Alonso fouled off three 2-2 pitches before drawing a walk. “When I am going good, I am able to miss those bats,” Greene said. “Obviously, that was lacking today.”
The broader context for Cincinnati is that the 2026 season, once full of hope, has turned into a lost year. The Reds rank near the bottom of the league in runs scored and bullpen ERA. Even if Greene becomes the dominant pitcher he was in 2024, it may not be enough to close the gap. Other teams in the division—the Brewers, Cubs, and Cardinals—have all been more consistent. The Reds may soon face a choice: sell at the trade deadline or hold onto their young core and hope for a healthier 2027.
For now, the focus remains on Greene’s next start. Friday’s outing against the Cubs will be a telling test. If Greene can limit walks and pitch deep into the game, the Reds might salvage something. If not, the team’s playoff dreams could be buried by the All-Star break.
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