CINCINNATI — Reds ace Hunter Greene took another step forward in his recovery from a groin strain that landed him on the injured list two weeks ago.
“The velocity’s there,” said Greene after throwing 35 pitches in a bullpen session. “I was sitting at an easy 95 [mph]. No discomfort in the groin. Everything feels great.”
Greene is scheduled for another bullpen session later this week while the Reds are in Pittsburgh. The team has yet to announce a target date for his return.
“It’s been going well,” Greene added. “I’ve checked every box so far. Can’t wait to be back on the mound.”
Greene sustained the injury during a series in Atlanta. Despite his absence, the Reds managed to win that game and have held up reasonably well without him.
Taking Greene’s spot in the rotation was Chase Petty, the organization’s No. 6 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 90 overall. Petty struggled in his Major League debut against the Cardinals on April 30 and gave up four runs in three innings during his next outing against the Astros on May 11.
Originally scheduled to pitch again on Saturday, Petty was replaced by a bullpen game. Brent Suter and Lyon Richardson combined to allow just one run over five innings, helping the Reds to a 4-1 win over the Guardians. Petty did not pitch in that game but was available out of the bullpen for Sunday’s series finale.
