For the most part, I’m pro-Terry Francona. He’s got a good sense of humor and for the most part gives a good (honest) interview, but in this instance, I think he’s bat bleep crazy or has drunk from the idiot juice.

His uber talented, de facto ace, Hunter Greene was scheduled to have an MRI on his ailing right elbow. They are awaiting results and second opinions from the doc that performed a previous surgery before letting him return to the mound.

Of the situation, Francona said, “We need to get this. You know, you’re asking the guy to go out there and throw as hard as he can. We need to make sure he’s OK.”

Hey Bobo, you think that’s the way to treat your prized possession. You’re treating him like chattel, and you expect anything more from him. The guy is only 26-years old, the prime of his career and yet he averages just under 125 innings in only four ML seasons. I know that the object of today’s game is to throw as hard as physically possible and hope for 5 innings/start and for how long before the arm goes kablooey.

Maybe somebody should teach the guy how to pitch and get a few more innings out of him. Most teams will throw 1458 innings a year, but if your ace is only giving you 120, that’s going to put a lot of pressure on the rest of the staff.

Most fans that have seen Greene pitch, could argue that he hasn’t reached his peak. Given the approach the Reds have taken with him, he might not be at fault. The game is best when the best players are able to perform.