CINCINNATI -- Before the Reds' four-game series opener against the Marlins on Monday night, starting pitcher Hunter Greene announced that he won't be beginning his rehab assignment on Tuesday as had been previously scheduled.
Greene is in the middle of his second stint on the injured list this season due to a right groin strain, and he reported soreness in the "same area" after throwing a bullpen session on Sunday in Philadelphia. He said that he’s day to day going forward, and he went on to play catch on Monday after he briefly addressed reporters.
Reds manager Terry Francona shed some more light on the situation following Monday’s 5-1 loss to the Marlins at Great American Ball Park.
“The MRI came back [and] we’re really pleased with it,” Francona said. “He’s still feeling it at times. I think there’s not a lot of confidence there yet. I think it feels fatigued. We want to do the right thing. Sometimes, it’s very difficult. That’s why we got the MRI. You ask somebody to go out there, let it loose and go 100 mph, you don’t want them worrying about something.”
Francona had said earlier Monday that the MRI was scheduled “out of an abundance of caution.” After landing on the injured list on June 4, the Reds’ ace underwent an MRI that confirmed he’d suffered a Grade 1 strain. Greene received a second opinion from a doctor in Los Angeles before rehabbing at the Reds’ facility in Arizona.
Greene, who hasn't pitched in a game since June 3, is 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA in 11 starts covering 59 2/3 innings this season. He had pitched to live hitters for the first time since his injury on Wednesday -- facing five batters over one simulated inning, throwing around 20 pitches -- and said he "felt strong" before the setback with Sunday's bullpen session.
“We’re going to take some steps to try to get him a little more time, so when he does go out, he’s raring to go,” Francona said.