Bengals Rumors: Offseason Takeaways Ft. Joe Burrow & Dexter Lawrence + Hunter Greene Rehab Start

Right-hander Hunter Greene took an important step in his return to the mound Thursday night, making his first rehabilitation appearance for the Arizona Complex League Reds after missing the entire 2026 season while recovering from March elbow surgery to remove bone spurs and loose bodies from his right elbow. The assignment marked Greene’s first game action in more than three months and represented a significant milestone in the recovery process for the Reds’ ace.

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Greene’s outing came against the ACL Cubs at Sloan Park in Arizona. Before the game, reports indicated that the Reds planned to limit him to roughly three innings as they began the process of building his workload back toward major-league starter levels. The organization has been cautiously progressing Greene through bullpen sessions, live batting practice, and simulated game work before finally clearing him for competitive action.

The early returns were encouraging. Greene reportedly worked scoreless baseball in his rehab debut, flashing the power arsenal that has made him one of baseball’s most electric pitchers. Reports from the game noted that he struck out multiple hitters and showed strong command while facing rookie-level competition. His ability to miss bats immediately is a positive sign, particularly after such a lengthy layoff following elbow surgery.

For Cincinnati, the rehab start carries significance beyond the box score. Greene entered the season as the unquestioned leader of the rotation after establishing himself as an All-Star-caliber starter. The Reds have expressed optimism that he could return before the All-Star break if his rehab progresses without setbacks, making each appearance an important checkpoint in his recovery timeline.

While one rookie-level outing does not guarantee a smooth return, Greene’s successful debut with the ACL affiliate provided exactly what the Reds hoped to see: health, velocity, strikeouts, and another step toward rejoining Cincinnati’s rotation for the second half of the 2026 season.

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