Elbow Nightmare in Cincy: Greene's 2027 Season in Jeopardy After Second Tommy John Surgery

CINCINNATI — The strike-throwing, flame-throwing sensation has been grounded again. Hunter Greene underwent Tommy John surgery Thursday to repair a ligament in his right elbow, leaving the Cincinnati Reds without their young ace for the rest of the 2026 season — and staring at the real possibility he misses all of 2027 too.

The organization had already told fans to brace for the worst on Friday. It's a brutal blow for a pitcher who already knows this battle all too well.

Here we go again

Greene had already survived Tommy John surgery once before, back in 2019 as a minor leaguer. Now he's facing the long, lonely road back for a second time. The Cincinnati Enquirer was first on the news.

His numbers this season won't blow anyone away — 2-2 with a 6.83 ERA over 27 2/3 innings in five starts — but context is everything. Greene didn't even begin 2026 on the mound. He started the season on the 60-day injured list after undergoing surgery in March to remove bone chips from his right elbow.

After finally returning, his arm betrayed him again. Greene's last appearance came July 31. He told the team's medical staff he felt soreness during an Aug. 4 side session, and the news unraveled quickly from there.

The injury history is piling up

This isn't just one bad break. It's a pattern that has to be worrying for the Reds.

Last season, Greene was limited to 19 starts because of a right groin injury. In 2024, he missed six weeks with right elbow soreness. In 2023, two separate IL stints for hip pain. And now the elbow gives out — again.

Financially, the Reds are still tied to Greene long-term. He signed a six-year, $53 million extension in April 2023 with a $21 million club option for 2029. That's a serious commitment to a pitcher who hardly has been on the field.

Why the Reds didn't punt

There was trade interest in Greene this summer, but Cincinnati held onto him. They believe in the 1-2 punch at the top of a rotation with Greene and All-Star right-hander Chase Burns. The vision remains — but only if Greene's elbow can survive the brutal demands of baseball.

For now, the Reds are left to hold their breath, update the rehab calendar and hope 2027 isn't a lost cause before it ever begins.