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Right-hander Hunter Greene is considered the ace of the Cincinnati Reds pitching staff. He has been on the mound for two of the past three Opening Days and made the All-Star Game in 2024.
But injuries have limited the fifth-year pro’s impact. Last season, Greene made just 19 starts, finishing 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA, striking out 132 batters in 107 2/3 innings.
Unfortunately for Greene and the Reds, the 2026 season began with more bad news. Greene left Cincinnati’s spring training site in Goodyear, Arizona, on Wednesday to get an MRI on his stiff right elbow. He will be evaluated by the team doctor and the orthopedic surgeon who performed his 2019 Tommy John surgery.
MORE: Tigers’ Tarik Skubal has one complaint about the WBC
As second-year manager Terry Francona and the Reds await the results of Greene’s MRI, they made an announcement on Sunday about Opening Day on March 26 against the Boston Red Sox.
The team’s X account shared that left-hander Andrew Abbott will make his first Opening Day start.
Abbott, a 26-year-old fourth-year pro, enjoyed an All-Star season of his own in 2025. He finished 10-7 with a 2.87 ERA in 166 1/3 innings. He struck out 149 batters. Abbott placed eighth in the National League Cy Young Award balloting.
Cincinnati’s starters ranked ninth in MLB with a 3.85 ERA in 2025. The Reds finished 83-79 in 2025 and made their first non-COVID season playoff appearance since 2013.
Former No. 2 overall pick Chase Burns is likely to join Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer and Rhett Lowder in Cincinnati’s Opening Day rotation if Greene doesn’t make it back for the start of the season.
The Reds and Red Sox meet at 4:10 p.m. ET March 26 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
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The post Cincinnati Reds Pick All-Star as Opening Day starter during Hunter Greene’s absence appeared first on The Big Lead.
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But injuries have limited the fifth-year pro’s impact. Last season, Greene made just 19 starts, finishing 7-4 with a 2.76 ERA, striking out 132 batters in 107 2/3 innings.
Unfortunately for Greene and the Reds, the 2026 season began with more bad news. Greene left Cincinnati’s spring training site in Goodyear, Arizona, on Wednesday to get an MRI on his stiff right elbow. He will be evaluated by the team doctor and the orthopedic surgeon who performed his 2019 Tommy John surgery.
MORE: Tigers’ Tarik Skubal has one complaint about the WBC
As second-year manager Terry Francona and the Reds await the results of Greene’s MRI, they made an announcement on Sunday about Opening Day on March 26 against the Boston Red Sox.
The team’s X account shared that left-hander Andrew Abbott will make his first Opening Day start.
Abbott, a 26-year-old fourth-year pro, enjoyed an All-Star season of his own in 2025. He finished 10-7 with a 2.87 ERA in 166 1/3 innings. He struck out 149 batters. Abbott placed eighth in the National League Cy Young Award balloting.
Cincinnati’s starters ranked ninth in MLB with a 3.85 ERA in 2025. The Reds finished 83-79 in 2025 and made their first non-COVID season playoff appearance since 2013.
Former No. 2 overall pick Chase Burns is likely to join Abbott, Nick Lodolo, Brady Singer and Rhett Lowder in Cincinnati’s Opening Day rotation if Greene doesn’t make it back for the start of the season.
The Reds and Red Sox meet at 4:10 p.m. ET March 26 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.
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NFL: Dallas Cowboys star Dak Prescott, fiancee break up before wedding
MLB: Tarik Skubal breaks silence on impending free agency
SPORTS MEDIA: Stephen A. Smith bashes underwhelming NBA star as ‘food addict’
WBC: Livvy Dunne, Paul Skenes show off ‘travel day’ fits for World Baseball Classic
WNBA: Players, union leaders divided, claims letter from 2-time MVP and 4-time All-Star
VIRAL: Wendy’s takes viral shot at NFL quarterback with ‘Chief Tasting Officer’ job offer
The post Cincinnati Reds Pick All-Star as Opening Day starter during Hunter Greene’s absence appeared first on The Big Lead.
Continue reading...
