Chase Burns has been tremendous for the Reds in his second Major League season -- his 2.01 ERA through 14 starts is fourth among qualified starters, and his performance has provided a huge lift to Cincinnati’s starting rotation in the absence of ace Hunter Greene.
But as much as the Reds appreciate Burns’ efforts and want to see him continue his success, they’d prefer to have Greene back atop the rotation to create a powerful one-two punch with the 23-year-old right-hander.
The Reds got good news on that front on Thursday, when Greene, who is nearing a return from the right elbow surgery he underwent in March, made his first Minor League rehab start with the organization’s Arizona Complex League affiliate.
Greene, who was expected to throw three innings against the ACL Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, actually went four scoreless frames in which he yielded two hits, walked one and struck out six on 54 pitches (39 strikes).
The velocity on the flamethrowing right-hander’s fastball reached triple digits four times, with Greene’s four-seamer topping out at 101.1 mph. He also mixed in his slider and splitter effectively for a strong first outing since undergoing surgery.
The Reds got off to a strong start this season, winning 20 of their first 31 games. But since the beginning of May, Cincinnati has scuffled. Getting Greene back could be a major boon for the club as it seeks a second consecutive postseason appearance and its first playoff win in 14 years.