Hunter Greene Undergoes Tommy John Surgery; Reds Pitcher Could Miss 2027 Season

Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery on Thursday to repair a right elbow ligament and may remain sidelined until the 2027 season.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery on Thursday to repair a ligament in his right elbow. The procedure, first reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer, officially ends his current campaign and places his availability for the 2027 season in doubt. Greene concludes his brief stint on the mound this year with a 2-2 record and a 6.83 ERA across 27 2/3 innings pitched. Over five starts, the pitcher struggled to maintain health following an initial March surgery to remove bone chips from the same elbow, an injury that forced him to begin the year on the 60-day injured list.

Greene last appeared in a game on July 31. During a scheduled side session on Aug. 4, he informed the Reds' medical staff of persistent soreness. This development led the team to announce on Friday that the 26-year-old would require a major surgical intervention. This marks the second time Greene has undergone Tommy John surgery, having previously had the procedure in 2019 while playing in the minor leagues.

Injury History and Contract Details

The hard-throwing righty is currently playing under a six-year, $53 million contract extension signed in April 2023. That deal includes a $21 million club option for the 2029 season. Despite the long-term financial commitment, Greene has faced significant time on the sidelines. During the 2023 season, he endured two separate stints on the injured list due to hip pain. He also dealt with a right groin injury last year that restricted him to just 19 starts.

In 2024, the pitcher missed six weeks of action specifically due to right elbow soreness. These recurring issues preceded the bone chip removal surgery in March of this year. The current ligament repair represents the most significant setback in a series of arm and lower-body ailments that have disrupted his tenure in the Cincinnati rotation.

Rotation Impact and Trade Interest

Before the trade deadline this summer, Greene was the subject of external trade interest from other franchises. However, the Cincinnati front office elected to retain him to pair with All-Star right-hander Chase Burns. The organization viewed the duo as a formidable one-two punch at the top of their starting rotation before this latest medical diagnosis.

Timeline for Recovery

With the surgery performed on August 13, 2026, the recovery window for a second Tommy John procedure typically extends beyond a standard 12-month calendar. The team’s projection that he could miss the entirety of 2027 reflects the complexity of revision surgeries on a primary throwing arm. Greene’s absence leaves a significant void in the Reds' pitching staff, which had hoped to build around his high-velocity profile and the recent emergence of Burns. The 27 2/3 innings logged this season represent his shortest professional output since reaching the major leagues.