Rotation ace Hunter Greene believes Reds can take next step: ‘It’s time’

Two consecutive terrific seasons from Hunter Greene have made him the unquestioned ace of the Cincinnati Reds’ pitching staff, but the right-hander wants more out of 2026.Since the start of the 2024 season, Greene has pitched to a 2.76 ERA, struck out 301 hitters and produced 10.6 WAR.Those numbers are despite a groin injury that kept Greene out of the rotation at times and limited him to 107.2 innings.Greene is the leader of a starting staff that was one of the best in the Majors in 2025, with veterans and several young hurlers aiming to take a step forward.Manager Terry Francona’s message to the Reds was it’s time to take the next step in 2026, after making the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020. Greene emphatically agrees with that sentiment.“The fire is there and I think it really touches on like it’s time and everybody feels that,” Greene said. “We have dedicated our lives to this sport since we were five or six years old. We want to see our potential, the city wants to see the potential, staff wants to see the potential, so we just got to go do it. We will.”Hear Greene’s comments in the video player at the top of the story.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. —

Two consecutive terrific seasons from Hunter Greene have made him the unquestioned ace of the Cincinnati Reds’ pitching staff, but the right-hander wants more out of 2026.

Since the start of the 2024 season, Greene has pitched to a 2.76 ERA, struck out 301 hitters and produced 10.6 WAR.

Those numbers are despite a groin injury that kept Greene out of the rotation at times and limited him to 107.2 innings.

Greene is the leader of a starting staff that was one of the best in the Majors in 2025, with veterans and several young hurlers aiming to take a step forward.

Manager Terry Francona’s message to the Reds was it’s time to take the next step in 2026, after making the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020. Greene emphatically agrees with that sentiment.

“The fire is there and I think it really touches on like it’s time and everybody feels that,” Greene said. “We have dedicated our lives to this sport since we were five or six years old. We want to see our potential, the city wants to see the potential, staff wants to see the potential, so we just got to go do it. We will.”

Hear Greene’s comments in the video player at the top of the story.