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The Cincinnati Reds received brutal news regarding their starting rotation. Right-hander Hunter Greene will undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow. After Greene sought a second opinion for renewed elbow soreness, the organization confirmed their worst fears. Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall announced Friday that Greene has a partially torn UCL. He is scheduled for surgery some time next week. The full extent of the procedure will not be known until the operation begins. Whether the surgery is a full Tommy John UCL reconstruction procedure or an internal brace, Greene will be out the majority of 2027 (should it happen). With all going smoothly, an internal brace has a 12 month recovery time and Tommy John would set him out for 14 months. This will be the second UCL surgery of Greene’s career. In 2019, before his debut, he had Tommy John surgery. A Frustrating Injury History For Greene, this is the latest setback in a mounting injury history. His 2026 season was derailed early on. In March, he has a procedure to remove loose bodies and bone spurs from this very same elbow. Superstars Tarik Skubal and Edwin Diaz had similar injuries and surgeries earlier this season aswell. Greene did not make his season debut until July 4. He managed just five starts since his return. In those 27.2 innings, he posted a 6.83 ERA and struggled with command. His professional track record is riddled with IL stints and injuries. He missed time with a shoulder strain in 2022, hip pain in 2023 and an elbow bruise in 2024. In 2025, multiple groin injuries limited his availability. Elite Upside (When Healthy) These durability concerns are devastating given his immense talent. When fully healthy, Greene is one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers. He was named a National League All-Star in 2024. During his 2025 campaign, he posted a brilliant 2.76 ERA and a 31% strikeout rate. His premium swing-and-miss stuff has always been undeniable. He routinely blows triple-digit fastballs past big-league hitters. The Reds must now navigate the rest of 2026 without him. The organization can only hope this upcoming procedure finally provides Greene with long-term structural stability in his throwing arm. Tap Here To Add Sportsnaut As A Trusted Source on Google