In an unexpected turn of events, the Cincinnati Reds found themselves scrambling for answers just hours before their game against the Milwaukee Brewers
, as Manager Terry Francona addressed the media with a grim expression and an urgent message: something had gone seriously wrong during the team’s final pre-game practice.
The practice session, held in the cool, early morning at American Family Field, began like any other. Players stretched, jogged, and exchanged light banter as they warmed up for the crucial series game. Spirits were high—the Reds were coming off a momentum-building win the previous night, and with Francona at the helm this season, there was cautious optimism among fans and players alike. But within forty-five minutes, the tone shifted drastically.
At around 9:20 AM local time, starting pitcher Hunter Greene abruptly stopped mid-delivery during a bullpen session, clutching his right elbow. What initially appeared to be a minor tweak quickly escalated into concern as medical staff rushed over. He was helped off the field without putting much weight on his arm—a sight that immediately sent ripples of worry through the coaching staff.
But Greene’s injury wasn’t the only problem. Moments later, the Reds’ team-wide tracking system, which monitors biometric data, showed irregular patterns in several players. According to Francona, “we had four players whose heart rate and oxygen levels dropped unusually low during light drills. That’s not normal. Something’s off, and we’re not taking any chances.”
The training staff quickly shut down practice and ushered the team into the locker room. Within minutes, a local medical unit arrived to perform rapid evaluations. What they discovered was even more troubling: symptoms of mild carbon monoxide poisoning, likely caused by a malfunctioning exhaust vent in one of the lower-level indoor training areas.
“It was a freak situation,” Francona said during an emergency press conference. “Our top priority is the health and safety of these guys. We didn’t see it coming, and frankly, we got lucky that we caught it early.”
By noon, the team had moved out of the affected area, and the stadium’s facilities crew launched a full inspection of the entire training and locker room ventilation system. MLB officials were contacted to assess whether the field and surrounding structures remained safe for the day’s game.
Among the affected players were Greene, second baseman Jonathan India, catcher Tyler Stephenson, and outfielder Will Benson. While none required hospitalization, all four were ruled out for the game, leaving massive holes in the Reds’ starting lineup.
As news of the incident broke, fans flooded social media with concern and speculation. Hashtags like #RedsEmergency, #PrayForGreene, and #FixTheVent began trending in Cincinnati within the hour. The team’s subreddit was overwhelmed with discussions ranging from conspiracy theories about old stadium infrastructure to debates about MLB safety standards.
For Francona, who took over managerial duties in a surprise off-season hire, the timing couldn’t have been worse. “This is when we’re trying to build rhythm,” he said. “You take out a key starter, your field general behind the plate, and one of your most consistent infielders—it’s a gut punch. But we’re not folding. We’re adjusting.”
In Greene’s place, the Reds tapped young prospect Ricky Landeros to make his MLB debut, pushing him into a pressure-packed scenario far earlier than anticipated. Meanwhile, veteran backup catcher Luke Maile was asked to start behind the plate and manage a patchwork pitching crew under less-than-ideal conditions.
Though the Reds announced that today’s game would still be played as scheduled, the long-term implications remain unclear. A full diagnostic check of all team facilities is now underway, and MLB is expected to launch a broader investigation into infrastructure maintenance protocols across the league.
For the fans, it’s a wake-up call. For the Reds, it’s a trial by fire. And for Terry Francona, it’s an early test of leadership under pressure.
“This team’s tough,” Francona said, closing out his press conference. “They’re shaken, but not broken. We’ll show up tonight, and we’ll play Reds baseball—just with a few unexpected twists.”
As the sun sets over Milwaukee and fans file into the stands, all eyes will be on a Reds team dealing not just with a game to win, but a crisis to overcome.
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