Reds Get Boost: De La Cruz Back, Greene Dominates

The Cincinnati Reds are hopeful that the return of key players from the injured list will significantly improve their season performance. The club has seen a decline from first place to last in the NL Central over the past two months. As the Reds commence a pivotal 10-game stretch of divisional contests against the first-place Milwaukee Brewers, clarity has emerged regarding the status of some injured stars.

On Tuesday, June 23, All-Star shortstop Elly De La Cruz was activated off the injured list after recovering from a hamstring issue. Meanwhile, ace pitcher Hunter Greene participated in a Triple-A rehab start for the Louisville Bats. Greene delivered a strong performance, pitching four shutout innings against the St. Paul Saints. He allowed only two hits and one walk while striking out three batters over 64 pitches, demonstrating his recovery.

Reds manager Terry Francona expressed his primary hope that Greene would pitch without health concerns during his rehab. Francona noted that getting Greene back into competitive pitching, even with potential runs or hits, is beneficial for his rehabilitation process. The manager did not specify a timetable for Greene's return, stating it would depend on his health and pitching performance.