Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene (elbow) to return from IL vs. Pittsburgh Pirates at home?

NEW YORK – Barring a setback, Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene could be back on the mound in a game for the Reds for the final weekend home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates and possibly one more game after that before the season ends.

Greene, a first-time All-Star and considered an emerging Cy Young candidate until landing on the injured list with a sore elbow, hasn’t appeared since pitching seven impressive innings to beat the St. Louis Cardinals for his fourth consecutive victory on Aug. 13.

Manager David Bell said Saturday that Greene is scheduled to throw live batting practice sessions Tuesday in St. Louis and then five days later in Minnesota. The second live BP would likely be a two-inning simulation, Bell said.

“And the next step would be to pitch in one of our games,” the manager added. “He’s not going to be built up to go seven innings. But if those two steps go well, the next one will be in our game.”

Greene is 10-4 with a 2.83 ERA in 24 starts this season.

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Two other key starters on the IL also might return before the season ends Sept. 29.

Nick Lodolo (9-6, 4.76 ERA), who is on the IL with a middle finger strain, has a followup exam scheduled Monday and is expected to join the team the next day in St. Louis. “If he can bend his finger all the way he’s going to start throwing,” Bell said.

And Andrew Abbott (10-10, 3.72), who has a sore shoulder, is still in the playing-catch portion of his throwing progression, adding distance daily, but could have enough time left to return for a start.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene (elbow) on track for return from IL