CINCINNATI (AP) — Reds pitching prospect Hunter Greene will have Tommy John surgery after medical tests found new ligament damage in his right elbow.
The setback will sideline the 19-year-old right-hander into the 2020 season, but he maintained a positive outlook in a message on Twitter, saying: "I have an amazing support group & people around me that will make me even stronger. I’m still on track, time to move forward!"
Greene was the second overall pick in the 2017 draft and was rated the Reds' best pitching prospect and their third best prospect overall by MLB.com.
Thanks for all the❤️ I’m in great shape & great spirits. I’m in LA & will have surgery next week by Dr. Neil Elattrache. I have an amazing support group & people around me that will make me even stronger. I’m still on track, time to move forward!
— Hunter Greene (@HunterGreene17) April 2, 2019
. He pitched in the Futures Game in Washington last year, hitting 100 mph with all of his 19 fastballs, one of them gauged at 103 mph.
The right-hander didn't pitch after July 26 last season because of a sprained elbow ligament. He began throwing again over the offseason, but suffered a setback last weekend while throwing to batters. An MRI found new damage, President of Baseball Operations Dick Williams said Monday night.
Greene will have surgery next week.
