The Cincinnati Reds have faced a season plagued by injuries, and the latest update may be the most concerning yet. Ace pitcher and Cy Young contender Hunter Greene has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to elbow soreness.
According to Nick Krall, the Reds’ President of Baseball Operations, this move is precautionary, and Greene will undergo an MRI in the coming days. This setback is a significant blow for a Reds team that has been fighting hard to get back above .500 and remain competitive in the NL Wild Card race. Without Greene, their hopes may be dashed.
Greene’s IL placement was made without a corresponding roster move. The Reds suffered a tough loss to the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night and will conclude the series on Sunday with Andrew Abbott starting for Cincinnati. Greene was originally scheduled to pitch on Monday, but now the team will need to find a replacement. Look for lesser-known pitching prospect Julian Aguiar to step in.
The Cincinnati Reds are in need of a replacement starter for injured ace Hunter Greene, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with elbow soreness. One potential option to fill Greene’s spot in the rotation is unheralded pitching prospect Julian Aguiar.
Aguiar, who has yet to make his MLB debut, could get the call to start in place of Greene on Monday. The 23-year-old right-hander has been turning heads in the Reds’ minor league system this season. At Double-A Chattanooga, he’s posted a 3.12 ERA with 124 strikeouts in 115 innings pitched.
Known for his mid-90s fastball and sharp breaking pitches, Aguiar has the stuff to potentially make an impact at the big league level. While he may not match Greene’s production, the Reds are hopeful he can provide some stability to the rotation as they fight to stay in the NL Wild Card race.
The loss of Greene is a huge blow, as he’s been one of the best pitchers in the National League this year. The 25-year-old is 9-4 with a 2.83 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 143.1 innings. He was a frontrunner for the NL Cy Young Award before the injury.
With Greene sidelined, the Reds will need other starters like Graham Ashcraft, Luke Weaver and Brandon Williamson to step up. Aguiar could be the wild card that helps keep the Reds afloat if he can translate his minor league success to the majors. It’s a big opportunity for the young righty to make his mark.
While some Reds fans are hoping to see Rhett Lowder or Chase Petty get the opportunity, it looks like Julian Aguiar will be the one making his MLB debut. If Brandon Williamson were fully healthy, he would likely take Greene’s spot in the rotation, but he has yet to start a rehab assignment after being sidelined all season due to a shoulder injury.
With injuries to Williamson and Graham Ashcraft, the trade of Frankie Montas, and Connor Phillips’ lack of progress, the Reds are in a tough spot this week. They could consider Lyon Richardson, but he has been playing a hybrid role for the Bats recently. Aguiar seems to be the most logical choice, but since he isn’t on the 40-man roster yet, a corresponding move will need to be made.
Losing Greene is a significant setback for a Reds team that was hoping for a late-season surge to secure a playoff spot. After a series loss to the Royals this weekend, combined with the loss of their ace, the Reds’ playoff aspirations may be in jeopardy.
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