CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene returned to the team’s rotation on Wednesday night, making his first major league start in more than two months.
Greene got the ball for the finale of a three-game series against Philadelphia. The right-hander struck out Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper while working a perfect first inning.
The 26-year-old Greene was placed on the 15-day IL with a right groin strain on June 4. He also was sidelined for two weeks in May with the same injury.
Greene made four rehab appearances in the minors, allowing 11 runs, nine earned, and 10 hits while striking out 24 in 13 innings. Right-hander Sam Benschoter was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday to make room for Greene on the roster.
The return of Greene could provide a lift for a Cincinnati team that is fighting for positioning in the NL wild-card standings.
Greene was selected by the Reds with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 amateur draft. He went 9-5 with a 2.75 ERA in 26 starts last year, striking out a career-high 169 in 150 1/3 innings and making the NL All-Star team for the first time.
Greene went 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA in his first 11 starts this year.
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