Reds’ Terry Francona shares huge Hunter Greene, Elly De La Cruz injury updates

For the first time since the second game of the season, the Cincinnati Reds are below .500. Once in first place, Terry Francona’s squad is now eight games behind the National League Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers following Saturday’s 6-5 loss versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Avoiding a complete meltdown would be easier if two of the franchise’s most important players were back on the roster. Cincy’s manager has the latest on shortstop Elly De La Cruz and starting pitcher Hunter Greene.

De La Cruz is making progress in his recovery from a hamstring strain and was doing some light work on the grass before the Cards game, per Charlie Goldsmith. Encouragingly, the Reds are bumping up his scheduled MRI from June 15 to June 12. The two-time All-Star last played on May 31 and is slashing .280/.346/.509/.855 with 12 home runs, 37 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. Despite JJ Bleday’s splendid May, Cincinnati’s lineup is lacking star power in De La Cruz’s absence.

Greene is sorely missed as well. The hard-throwing right-hander has been on the injured list all season-long after undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery in March. Terry Francona says Greene is “doing really good” and will “hopefully make some starts before the All Star break,” per Charlie Goldsmith. Facing hitters in a live batting practice is the next hurdle to clear.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft boasts a career 3.65 ERA and 30.0 percent strikeout rate, but he just cannot stay healthy. Francona is surely drooling at the thought of pairing him with phenom and Cy Young contender Chase Burns.

With the Reds (31-32) already extremely thin in the bullpen, a healthy Elly De La Cruz and healthy Hunter Greene are more valuable than ever.

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