The Cincinnati Reds are set to welcome back their ace, Hunter Greene, for his season debut during their upcoming weekend series against the Orioles. This development comes as a welcome relief for the team, which has been struggling since the end of April. Greene, who underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow during Spring Training, is back at the earlier end of the initial timetable. His return is particularly significant given the team's current predicament, with a 12.5-game deficit in the division and only five games out of a Wild Card spot.
Greene's rehab stint in the minors was successful, with him pitching 6 1/3 innings and 82 pitches against Minnesota's Triple-A affiliate, allowing no runs and recording a 13:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His fastball averaged 98.6 mph in his two Triple-A appearances, indicating that he is back to his ace form. Greene's return is especially crucial as the Reds' starting pitching has not been up to par, with the bullpen being the worst in baseball during the recent stretch. The team's ERA is 17th, and they have the third-highest home run rate in the last two months.
However, the question remains whether Greene's return will be enough to salvage the season. The Reds have been one of the worst teams in the league since the end of April, and their playoff hopes are slipping away. Manager Terry Francona has not yet decided whether the team will go to a six-man rotation, but it is likely that Greene and Chase Burns will be given the ball as often as possible. The team will also have an off day next Monday and the All-Star Break after that, providing everyone with a well-needed rest.
The Reds' rotation picture may change by the trade deadline if they don't have a great showing in July. Nick Lodolo, who missed the first month with a blister issue, has a 5.05 ERA across 10 starts. Rhett Lowder and Andrew Abbott have managed decent ERAs but are struggling to keep the ball in the park. Brady Singer, an impending free agent, has pitched well enough lately that the Reds would likely find someone willing to give up a mid-level prospect to acquire him. Lodolo will be due at least a marginal raise on his $4.725MM salary for his final arbitration year, and the Reds could look to move him as well.
In conclusion, the Reds' season is at a critical juncture, and Greene's return is a significant development. However, the team's current predicament and the need for a strong showing in July to avoid significant changes by the trade deadline mean that the pressure is on. The Reds will need to make strategic decisions to maximize their chances of success, and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining their fate for the rest of the season.
