Greene, Pagán's impending return from IL highlight good injury news for Reds

MILWAUKEE -- Reds ace Hunter Greene and closer Emilio Pagán rejoined the team on Monday in Milwaukee for what was a good day overall on the team’s injury front.

Greene -- who had surgery in early March to remove bone chips from his right elbow -- is expected to make his 2026 debut in the coming days following another productive rehab assignment for Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

The Reds currently have Brady Singer slated to pitch on Friday against the Orioles at Great American Ballpark, but manager Terry Francona said Greene could start Friday or Saturday. A final decision likely will be made on Tuesday.

“We're kind of working through that,” Francona said. “I'd like to visit with all the pitchers first. Obviously, it could be Friday or Saturday, but that's kind of stating the obvious.”

Greene, speaking at his locker before Monday’s matchup with the Brewers, said he expects to have an immediate impact on the rotation.

“I feel like I've done that in the past. Obviously, that's the goal coming back,” he said.

Greene pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings on Sunday in Louisville’s game vs. St. Paul, and struck out four in an 82-pitch outing that began with a 10-pitch, 1-2-3 first inning.

“Cooling down and having to get your body back on and run back out there and still have the same level of output that you had in the prior inning could be a little bit more of a challenge.” Greene said. “So focusing on that and making sure I was able to go back out there, and feel just as good as I did in the prior inning was really important. I wanted to push and get as many up-downs as I could so I was best prepared here, because starting Friday, or whenever I pitch, I'm hitting the ground running.”

When healthy, Greene has proven to be among the top pitchers in the Majors, but injuries have been an issue.

“In our game, being out there all the time is huge,” he said. “That's not a slam against him, it's just things have come up, but having him back will be really good.”

Greene said the time he’s missed due to injury gives him the freshest arm in the rotation heading into the second half of the season.

“I recognize that, and I embrace that,” Greene said “That's where my mindset is. I'm trying to go as deep as possible in each game.”

Pagán has been on the injured list since May 6 with a left hamstring strain. He threw six pitches in one scoreless inning during a rehab assignment with Louisville on Friday, then another scoreless inning on Sunday and is expected to be activated on Tuesday and return to his closer role.

“I think it makes sense to do that,” Francona said. “If you're not pitching him in the ninth, why in the world would you want to pitch him in the seventh or eighth? He can handle it.”

Pagán said prior to Monday’s game that he was “pushing to speed up the recovery process.”

“It’s my job to push the gas as fast as I can, and then you're asked to hold the brakes. It's been a good process,” Pagán said. “I feel strong. I'm excited to get back out there.”

Pagán said he wants to return to the closer role but will do whatever is asked of him to put the team in the best position to win games.

“If I have to throw in any other inning, I don't care,” he said.

The Reds got better than expected news regarding three other key players.

Third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who left Sunday’s game vs. the Pirates with a sore left hand after being hit by a pitch, was out of the lineup on Monday but took batting practice and appears to have avoided a serious injury.

“I think we dodged a big bullet there,” Francona said.

Elly De La Cruz, who sprained his left ankle on Sunday, was slotted into the lineup as designated hitter on Monday.

“He's mad about that, so he must be feeling pretty good,” Francona said.

Blake Dunn, who landed on the 10-day injured list after sustaining a right elbow sprain while making a long throw to the plate in the fifth inning of Friday's game against the Pirates, also could return to the lineup sooner than expected.

“He actually got pretty good news,” Francona said. “They gave him a cortisone injection and put him on some type of steroid and there's a chance, by the weekend, that he might be back hitting and throwing. But he’s going to be OK.”