Terry Francona Shares Encouraging Injury Updates on Hunter Greene and Emilio Pagán
The Cincinnati Reds are continuing to receive positive news on the injury front, with several key players edging closer to their long-awaited returns. Ahead of the second matchup in a three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers, manager Terry Francona addressed reporters and offered fresh updates regarding star pitcher Hunter Greene and veteran reliever Emilio Pagán.
Greene, who has been sidelined while recovering from injury, is scheduled to take another significant step in his rehabilitation process with a start for the Louisville Bats on Tuesday evening. According to Francona, the right-hander is expected to throw between 70 and 75 pitches during the outing. The organization plans to carefully evaluate how Greene responds physically after the appearance before determining the next stage of his recovery.
While no official timetable has been set, indications suggest that Greene may require at least one additional minor-league rehab start before the Reds feel comfortable activating him from the injured list. The club remains cautious with one of its most important arms, aiming to ensure he is fully healthy before returning to the major-league rotation.
Francona also provided a promising report on Pagán, who has been unavailable since suffering a Grade 2 hamstring strain during a game against the Chicago Cubs in early May. The experienced reliever recently completed a live batting-practice session and reportedly came away feeling extremely encouraged by the results.
According to the Reds manager, Pagán is scheduled to begin a rehabilitation assignment on Thursday, followed by another appearance on Saturday. If those outings go according to plan and he experiences no setbacks, the reliever could be cleared to return to Cincinnati’s bullpen shortly afterward.
Pagán himself expressed confidence in his progress while speaking to reporters before Monday’s game. Reflecting on his recent throwing session, he noted that his stuff appeared sharper than during previous rehab work. He was particularly pleased with the command of his off-speed pitches and breaking ball, while also reporting continued improvement with his splitter. Most importantly, Pagán emphasized that he avoided leaving pitches in dangerous locations and finished the session feeling strong and healthy.
The Reds have already begun welcoming players back from injury, activating pitcher Pierce Johnson from the injured list earlier this week. With both Greene and Pagán expected to rejoin the roster in the coming weeks, Cincinnati could soon find itself at full strength for the first time in several months. Such reinforcements would provide a significant boost as the club looks to improve its position during the latter stages of the season.
Reds Continue to Struggle Against Brewers
While injury news has been positive, Cincinnati’s results against Milwaukee remain a major concern.
The Reds suffered another frustrating defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, extending what has become a lengthy period of dominance by Milwaukee in the rivalry. Statistical data shared by analyst Matt Wilkes highlights just how one-sided the matchup has been in recent years.
Among teams that have faced an opponent at least 50 times since 2022, Cincinnati owns the third-worst winning percentage against a single club. Only the Colorado Rockies against the San Francisco Giants and the Rockies against the Los Angeles Dodgers have performed worse.
The numbers underline Milwaukee’s superiority. Following Monday’s extra-inning loss, the Reds have dropped 90 of their last 145 meetings with the Brewers, a remarkable stretch that has repeatedly hindered Cincinnati’s progress within the division.
Their difficulties against divisional opponents extend beyond Milwaukee as well. The defeat left the Reds with a disappointing 2-14 record against the rest of the National League Central this season, highlighting one of the club’s biggest challenges as it attempts to remain competitive in a tightly contested division race.
As key players near their return from injury, Cincinnati will hope improved health can help reverse those troubling trends and provide the spark needed for a stronger finish to the campaign.
