Justin Dunn to enter Cincinnati Reds starting rotation; Hunter Greene avoids surgery

MILWAUKEE – It’s been more than a year since Justin Dunn has pitched in a Major League game because of shoulder injuries, but he’ll join the Cincinnati Reds’ starting rotation this week.

Dunn, one of the four players acquired from Seattle in the Jesse Winker/Eugenio Suárez trade, will make his season debut Monday against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The Reds had an opening in their rotation after Hunter Greene was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday.

"We’re excited to have him in the organization," Reds Manager David Bell said. "We’re excited to see him pitch at the Major League level. That was the idea when we acquired him. It’s been tough. He was injured for a long time. He’s still pitching himself back into top form. We’re hoping at this point in the year that he’s ready to do that."

More: Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson likely out for the rest of 2022 season after surgery

More: Jose Barrero makes Cincinnati Reds history with two homers in win over Brewers

More: Kyle Farmer: Losing starting shortstop job and move to third base 'caught me off guard'

It’ll be a bit of a full circle moment for Dunn, who was drafted in the first round by the Mets in 2016. He was traded to Seattle before his debut in a deal for Robinson Cano and Edwin Díaz.

Dunn, a 26-year-old right-hander, completed a rehab assignment in July and the Reds kept him there when they had a six-man rotation prior to the trade deadline. He’s struggled with his command at Triple-A Louisville, permitting 16 hits, 11 runs and nine walks in his last three starts with 10 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings.

He had a 1-3 record and a 3.75 in 11 starts with Seattle last season and the Reds want to evaluate him in the Major Leagues over the final two months of the season. The Reds have new areas of emphasis since he entered the organization and it’ll be a way to determine whether he has a future in the rotation or bullpen if he cuts down on his walks.

"We’re hoping it’s the beginning of his being in the rotation for years," Bell said. "One step at a time."

Dunn had a 6.75 ERA in eight minor league starts, seven at Louisville and one at High-A Dayton, with his first six outings as a part of his rehab assignment. Left-handed batters had a 1.103 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) against him compared to a .665 OPS for right-handed hitters.

Reds injury updates: Hunter Greene undergoes MRI exam

Greene underwent an MRI exam after he returned to Cincinnati on Saturday morning. He was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with a right shoulder strain.

“It’s going to take probably a few days to come up with a plan,” Reds Manager David Bell said. “He had an MRI this morning and I think he might have another exam coming up. So far, it doesn’t sound like there is surgery involved or anything like that, which is great news.”

Greene called it “just a little arm fatigue,” as he neared the number of innings he threw last year. He was scratched from a start in Triple-A last August with irritation in his right AC joint, but he made five starts afterward.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Reds rotation: Justin Dunn to start vs. Mets; Hunter Greene injury