Hunter Greene has been activated from the injured list just in time for the Cincinnati Reds’ matchup against the Chicago Cubs. It will mark his first start since May 7, when he exited in the fourth inning due to a groin injury.
Greene has been Cincinnati’s top starter in 2025, and the Reds will be counting on him to quickly regain his form. With the lighter part of their schedule behind them, they’re heading into a tough stretch against several winning teams.
Aside from the Milwaukee Brewers — who sit just one game under .500 entering Friday — the Reds won’t face another team with a losing record until June 30, when they meet the Red Sox in Boston. This weekend’s three-game set against the Cubs marks the beginning of a daunting month-long stretch that could very well shape the course of Cincinnati’s season.
Hunter Greene’s returns from the IL, but the Reds face a brutal schedule from here on out
The Cubs currently sit atop the NL Central and pose a serious challenge for Hunter Greene and the Reds’ pitching staff. Powered by standout hitters Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker, Chicago’s lineup ranks in the top five in MLB in batting average, OPS, and home runs. Securing a series win against the division-leading North Siders will be no easy task for Cincinnati.
Following their series with the Cubs, the Reds embark on a tough road stretch starting with a visit to Kansas City to face former teammate Jonathan India and the Royals. From there, they travel to Chicago for another three-game set against the Cubs. When they return to Great American Ball Park, the welcome won’t be any softer — they’ll host a Brewers team that has had their number lately, followed by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Next comes a challenging road trip through the AL Central, with games against division leaders Cleveland and Detroit. Then it’s back home to take on the surging Minnesota Twins before heading to Busch Stadium for a tough series against the resurgent Cardinals. The month wraps up with home series against the powerhouse Yankees and Padres, before closing June with their only series against a losing team — the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Hunter Greene’s return means more than just getting their ace back — the entire Reds rotation will need to stay sharp as they enter this brutal stretch. Fortunately, Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, and Andrew Abbott have been excellent recently, providing much-needed consistency. While Brady Singer has struggled at times, he’s still managed to take the mound every fifth day and keep the Reds competitive.
The bigger concern lies with the offense. Cincinnati’s lineup has gone cold, and the team has dropped too many winnable series as a result. If they hope to weather the upcoming schedule, they’ll need a spark at the plate — and soon.
To clear room for Greene’s activation, the Reds optioned Lyon Richardson to Triple-A Louisville following Wednesday’s game against the Pirates
