Reds Pitcher Hunter Greene Gets Huge Contract Extension Through 2028

Hard-throwing right-hander Hunter Greene signed a six-year, $53 million contract extension on Tuesday, committing to the Cincinnati Reds long-term. The 23-year-old was the Reds' Opening Day starter this season.

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds are fashioning their rebuild around standout starting pitcher Hunter Greene, and they put their money where their mouth is on Tuesday, signing him to a six-year, $53 million extension.  

"The commitment we made to Hunter reflects his commitment to this organization and to our community," Reds chief executive officer Bob Castellini sad. "He is part of the foundation of young players who will continue to help us build a successful major-league team." 

The contract runs through the 2028 season and includes a $21 million club option with a $2 million buyout for 2029. 

Greene, a hard-throwing right-hander from Los Angeles, is just 23 years old. He started 24 games as a rookie a year ago, going 5-13 with a 4.44 earned run average for a Reds team that went 62-100. Among National League rookies, he was first in starts (24), and second in innings pitched (125.2) and opponents' batting average (.222).  He had a 30.9 percent strikeout rate, the first player 22 or younger to do so since 2000. 

This year, he started Opening Day for the Reds, the first pitcher 25 or under to start the opener since 1980. He has made four starts so far this season, but had to leave early on Monday night when he got hit with a ball. 

So far, he doesn't have a decision. He's pitched 17 innings and has allowed eight earned runs and 20 hits. He has a 4.24 ERA.

On Monday night, he was struck on the leg on a ball off the bat of Tampa Bay's  Yandy Diaz. He was evaluated by a trainer and made a few warm-up tosses. He finished the inning, but was in pain and his velocity was down, so the Reds took him out. 

“He looked fine after throwing a few more pitches,” Reds manager David Bell said. “I saw him in between innings and he was limping really bad. At that point, we made the decision. With these types of contusions, you have to really stay on top of it. But the goal as of right now is to have him make his next start.”

Greene was diagnosed with a right tibia contusion. X-rays were negative.

“It's super tight,” Greene told reporters after the game. “I wanted to finish that inning. I knew I could finish it. As soon as I came in it tightened up right away. It would have been foolish to go back out and just use my arm. I’m just happy the X-ray was negative.”