Hunter Greene Placed on Injured List Due to Groin Strain
The Cincinnati Reds have announced that right-handed pitcher Hunter Greene will be placed on the injured list following a grade 1 right groin strain sustained during his start against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night. The decision was confirmed by MLB.com reporter Mark Sheldon.
Performance Before Injury
In the outing, Greene exhibited an impressive performance, throwing three scoreless innings and striking out six of the eleven batters he faced. With this game, Greene improved his season statistics to an impressive 2.36 ERA and a 7.63 strikeout-to-walk ratio over the course of 45 ⅔ innings and eight starts. His contributions to the team have been significant, equating to an estimated 1.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), as per Baseball Reference.
"I felt fantastic tonight," Greene stated in a post-game interview. "It sucks because the momentum was great and all my stuff felt good. In the top of the fourth, my first two warmup pitches I felt my groin grab, so I just didn’t feel like I would be at my best or really keep my team in it continuing to throw if I stayed in. So that was the decision."
Recovery Timeline Uncertain
As of now, the Reds have not provided a timeline for Greene’s return. A database from Baseball Prospectus indicates that recovery from groin strains often averages about 29 days, although actual recovery times can vary based on the severity of the injury. Therefore, it is uncertain whether Greene’s stay on the injured list will extend for that long.
Team Roster Impact
Greene’s injury adds to a growing list of the Reds’ sidelined players, including starter Rhett Lowder, and infielders Noelvi Marte and Jeimer Candelario, along with outfielder Austin Hays. The team’s depth will be tested as they navigate this period of instability.
Current Season Standings
The Reds entered Thursday’s series finale against the Braves with a record of 19-19, placing them three games behind the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central standings. This injury could prove critical as the team seeks to improve its performance and climb the leaderboard.
Conclusion
The injury to Hunter Greene presents a challenge for the Cincinnati Reds at a pivotal point in the season. As one of their top pitchers, Greene has shown promise and potential, making his absence a significant concern for the team’s pitching rotation. The organization and fans alike will be watching closely for updates on his recovery to understand the long-term implications for the rest of the season.
