MLB Injury Report: Hunter Greene Dominates Rehab as Mike Trout Nears Summer Return

The midsummer grind is testing the depth of Major League Baseball's contenders, but the late-June injury wire brings a wave of optimism for several fanbases. As the All-Star break approaches, key stars are clearing major hurdles in their recovery programs, while others are officially rejoining their active rosters.

The Cincinnati Reds received the most encouraging news of the week, as ace Hunter Greene appears ready to rejoin the starting rotation. Greene, who has been sidelined for a significant stretch, made what is expected to be his final rehab start on Sunday for Triple-A Louisville.

The flamethrower was absolutely dominant against the St. Paul Saints, tossing 6 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing just a single hit. Most impressively, Greene retired the final 16 batters he faced, striking out four without issuing a walk.

"It was a goal of mine to go scoreless my whole rehab stint," Greene told reporters after the outing. "I feel like I'm prepared in all facets." Reds manager Terry Francona confirmed the right-hander's readiness, noting that Greene will likely start his next turn in the big-league rotation.

Cincinnati's bullpen is also getting a much-needed boost. Veteran reliever Emilio Pagán, who had been sidelined since May 6 with a hamstring injury, was activated on Tuesday. Pagán required just 15 pitches across two efficient rehab appearances to prove his health, giving Francona another high-leverage option.

Out West, the Los Angeles Angels are closely monitoring the progress of franchise cornerstone Mike Trout. The 34-year-old outfielder was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 18 with a right hamstring strain, a frustrating pause to what had been a resurgent 2026 campaign.[1]

Fortunately, Trout's recovery is accelerating. On Tuesday, he resumed on-field baseball activities, taking 30 swings—including 15 off a tee—and running at approximately 50 percent intensity. While he has not yet faced live pitching, the veteran is optimistic about a short stint on the shelf.[1]

"He's progressing," Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said of Trout's status. "We still don't know the timetable, but I think the activity level is ramping up a little bit and I know he's starting to feel better."[1]

Meanwhile, the Kansas City Royals are taking a cautious approach with superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. The dynamic infielder remains day-to-day after suffering a Grade 1 medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprain in his left knee. While Witt has been available off the bench, the club has held him out of the starting lineup for nearly a week to prevent further structural damage.[2]

In Los Angeles, the Dodgers are managing a minor but nagging issue behind the plate. Catcher Will Smith has missed consecutive starts due to neck stiffness. Given the physical demands of the position, manager Dave Roberts has opted to give top catching prospect Dalton Rushing an extended look rather than risk aggravating Smith's neck.

Finally, the Philadelphia Phillies provided a detailed update on top infield prospect Aidan Miller, who has been battling persistent lower back issues. Specialists diagnosed Miller with discogenic pain and facet inflammation in his lumbar spine, prompting a minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation procedure. The promising young infielder is expected to resume game activity in six to eight weeks.[3]

As the calendar flips to July, the fantasy baseball landscape and the actual pennant races will hinge heavily on these medical timelines. For teams like the Reds and Angels, the imminent return of their biggest stars could be the catalyst needed for a strong second-half surge.