CLEVELAND – Concerns that Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene could face an extended stretch on the injured list weren’t exactly eased by news Monday that he’s left the team to seek a second medical opinion from a specialist in Los Angeles on his groin injury as well as back issues that cropped up during his last start.
Greene, who spent 2 1/2 weeks on the IL last month for a Grade 1 groin strain, appeared to aggravate it during a five-inning start against the Brewers last week, landing him on the IL again June 4.
A subsequent MRI revealed no additionally severe damage to the groin. But his lower back also began bothering him in that start last week.
“We’re trying to figure out if it was related,” manager Terry Francona said then. “We’ve got to get him healthy.”
Greene, a first-time All-Star last season, looked like he might be headed to another selection until the latest trip to the IL. He’s 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA and 11 strikeouts per nine innings in 11 starts.
Depending on what Greene hears in L.A. and what rehab might be prescribed for either ailment, a cautious approach to his second recovery process could quickly seep into late June.
The Reds don’t have a timeline for his return at this point.
Last August when he banged his pitching elbow on a hard surface and sought a second opinion that confirmed the first — no structural damage — he missed more than a month and made just two abbreviated starts the rest of the season.
“We always kind of encourage that with our guys, that if they want to (seek a second opinion), go,” Francona said Monday. “Especially when they’re down for a little bit. So we should have some more information maybe in the next few days.”
Asked to clarify whether the second opinion was simply precautionary or if there was a concern, Francona only reiterated the sentiment that players were welcome to seek more information.
“We encourage them,” he said, “when they talk to their agents or whoever. It’s not a bad thing at all.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene left team for second medical opinion in Los Angeles
Reporting by Gordon Wittenmyer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
