Hunter Greene Takes Major Step in Recovery with First Bullpen Session

Chase Burns has emerged as a revelation for the Cincinnati Reds this season, proving himself as a legitimate ace in the rotation after being the #2 overall draft pick. Alongside him, Andrew Abbott, a 2025 All-Star, has rebounded from a shaky start to solidify his role as a competent mid-rotation arm. Nick Lodolo also appears to be finding his form once again, showcasing his skills with a strong performance against the New York Mets earlier this week.

Yet the heart of this Reds rotation still revolves around Hunter Greene, who has been sidelined all season due to cleanup surgery on his right elbow just before the 2026 season commenced. Expectations have been high for Greene’s return, projected for July, and he took a significant step toward that goal yesterday by completing his first bullpen session.

Greene shared footage of this important milestone on his Instagram account, which the Reds later retweeted, signaling hope for his return.

While the current rotation has shown promise, there are important considerations to keep in mind. As the Reds’ TV crew noted during last night’s game against the Mets, Burns is approaching an innings limit this season. After throwing just 66.0 innings last year and peaking at 100 innings during his time at Wake Forest in 2024, he has already pitched 64.1 innings this season. Managing his innings effectively will be crucial to ensure he can contribute down the stretch, and Greene’s anticipated return could help ease that burden.

Rhett Lowder is also on the verge of returning from shoulder issues, having missed nearly the entire 2025 season due to various injuries. The Reds face a complex decision-making process as they integrate him back into the lineup, manage Burns’ innings, and welcome Greene back, all while addressing the struggles of pending free agent Brady Singer. Navigating these challenges will be a significant task for pitching coaches Derek Johnson and Tito Francona, but having a surplus of healthy pitchers is a welcome dilemma during the demanding summer months of the season.

Greene’s progress is encouraging, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding recovery from arm surgeries, marking a positive development for the Reds as they look to bolster their rotation.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.