Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene exited Wednesday night’s 4-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves after just three innings due to a right groin injury. Greene, who had been dominant through the first three frames with six strikeouts and only two hits allowed, was forced to stop his warmup in the fourth inning after feeling discomfort.
After throwing just two warmup pitches — the second of which hit the dirt — Greene made the decision to leave the game, prioritizing the team’s success and his long-term health.
Greene Stays Optimistic Despite Injury, Dismisses Link to Previous High Pitch Count
Following the game, Greene expressed frustration over the timing of the injury, particularly after such a strong start. He stated that this was his first groin issue and admitted uncertainty about what the upcoming medical tests would reveal.
Despite the setback, Greene remained optimistic, saying he hopes to return soon and avoid missing a start. His focus, he emphasized, is on recovery and returning in the best shape possible to contribute to the Reds’ rotation.
Hunter Greene (MLB)Greene was coming off an impressive performance in his previous start, where he struck out a season-high 12 batters and threw 114 pitches — the most by any MLB pitcher this year.
However, he dismissed any connection between the high pitch count and his current injury, stating that he felt fully recovered and strong heading into Wednesday’s game. He insisted that his recovery during the week had gone smoothly and didn’t believe the previous outing had any impact on the groin issue.
Greene Leaves Game Cautiously as Reds Await Test Results and Injury Clarity
When Greene reported discomfort, he was quickly surrounded on the mound by Reds infielders, a trainer, and manager Terry Francona. The brief consultation led to Greene being escorted off the field with the Reds leading 4-0. Francona later commented that Greene described the sensation as a “grab” rather than a “pop,” suggesting the injury might not be severe. Still, the team is awaiting test results before making any conclusions about Greene’s status.
Left-hander Brent Suter took over for Greene following his early exit. Greene’s performance until that point had been electric, highlighted by striking out the side in the second inning and blowing a 101-mph fastball past Alex Verdugo in the third. At just 25 years old, Greene has continued to show elite potential, and the Reds will be hoping for a swift and full recovery to keep their young ace contributing during the 2025 season.
