CINCINNATI -- Working his way back from a right groin strain, Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene's rehab assignment moved to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday in a mixed performance that included a mound visit from the trainer.
Greene threw 50 pitches over 2 1/3 innings and allowed four earned runs on five hits with no walks and six strikeouts. He also gave up a pair of solo home runs during Louisville's 5-2 loss at Omaha.
With one out in the bottom of the third inning, Greene had a lengthy pause in the action with an extended mound visit from Louisville manager Pat Kelly and the trainer. But he resumed without making a warm-up pitch and gave up a line drive off the left-field wall before he was lifted from the game.
Greene's limit was to be 55 pitches. The trainer's visit was not related to his groin.
"He had some cramping during his start, but everything was resolved with food and hydration after his start," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said.
It was Greene's second rehab start -- his first for Louisville -- after he struck out four over two scoreless innings in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League last Wednesday. He is scheduled to pitch again against Omaha on Sunday.
Greene has made only three starts since May 23 after going on the injured list for a second time because of his right groin strain issues. He has not pitched in the big leagues since exiting his June 3 start vs. the Brewers.
In early July, Greene was close to beginning a rehab assignment, but he shut it down when he felt symptoms again. However, an MRI was clear and showed no recurring strain. The Reds sent him to their complex in Goodyear, Ariz., to continue his throwing program.
As Cincinnati works to nab a postseason spot this season, the club will hope it can count on Greene's contributions down the stretch. In 11 starts, he is 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA for the Reds.