Reds' Rhett Lowder: Strikes out five in no-decision
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Lowder did not factor into the decision in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Red Sox, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings.
Lowder surrendered a two-run homer in the fourth inning but also managed four scoreless frames. He threw 56 of 86 pitches for strikes while generating an impressive 14 whiffs, including six on his slider. The former first-round pick logged just 9.1 minor-league innings last season due to multiple injuries but is getting an opportunity to stick with the Reds in 2026. He's slated for a road matchup against the Rangers next weekend.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Scheduled for third game
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Lowder is scheduled to start the Reds' third game of the season Sunday versus the Red Sox in Cincinnati, Rich Rovito of MLB.com reports.
The Reds adjusted their rotation plans with Nick Lodolo (finger) opening the season on the injured list. Lodolo had been scheduled to pitch Saturday, but he will be replaced by Brady Singer, while Lowder moves up a day to pitch in Singer's spot. Lowder made his final start of the spring Tuesday, tossing 50 pitches over three innings in an exhibition against Milwaukee.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Makes Opening Day roster
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Lowder was told by the Reds that he has made the Opening Day roster, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Lowder was informed along with fellow starters Brandon Williamson and Chase Burns. The three of them will occupy two rotation spots and back each other up in those spots due to their recent injury histories and/or lack of experience. Lowder is coming back from a forearm injury and oblique strain that he suffered in 2025.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Greeted roughly Monday
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Lowder allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out four over 3.2 innings in Monday's spring start against the Athletics.
The Athletics jumped on Lowder for four runs and four hits in the first inning, when the right-hander expended 26 pitches. He told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that catcher Tyler Stephenson's mound visit helped turn him around. In three Cactus League outings (two starts), Lowder has a 4.15 ERA with 11 strikeouts and two walks over 8.2 innings. He remains in competition with Chase Burns and Brandon Williamson for the final two spots in the rotation.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Cruises Wednesday
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Lowder allowed two hits and struck out three over three scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring start against Team Cuba.
Lowder had another strong effort in his third outing, mixing in all four of his pitches during the 43-pitch appearance. It was his second consecutive scoreless effort, and he's now recorded 21 consecutive outs. The right-hander is part of a group competing for the final rotation spot, but Lowder's addition to the starting staff appears to be a formality, especially now that No. 1 starter Hunter Greene left camp to get his elbow checked out.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Makes case for rotation
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Lowder allowed one walk and struck out three over three hitless and scoreless innings in Friday's spring start against the Angels.
Lowder was on point with all of his pitches, dispatching nine of 10 batters faced on 30 offerings (21 strikes). He was so efficient that the right-hander retired to the bullpen to throw another 10 pitches. This was Lowder's first Cactus League start and second spring outing. The ability throw all his pitches for strikes should serve him well in the competition for the final spot in Cincinnati's rotation.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Taking regular turns in AFL
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Lowder (oblique/forearm) has made three starts for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
The Reds are being careful with Lowder, who has thrown two innings in all a three of his outings. The 2023 first-round selection allowed two runs on four hits while striking out six with zero walks. The right-hander is coming off a lost season due to his injuries and pitched a total of 9.1 innings in rehab outings during 2025. The club believes Lowder will have a normal offseason and compete for a rotation spot in spring training.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: MRI on shoulder is negative
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Lowder (oblique/forearm) recently underwent an MRI on his right shoulder that came back negative, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.
Reds manager Terry Francona noted that Lowder -- who hasn't pitched since Sept. 13 -- was having trouble recovering in between appearances. While imaging came back clean, Lowder's rehab will be slowed, which effectively ends his season. He's been limited to just five rehab appearances this season due to forearm, oblique and now shoulder issues.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Works two innings in rehab game
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Lowder (oblique/forearm) allowed one earned run on two hits and struck out two over two innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday. He also hit a batter.
Lowder is expected to make one rehab start with Louisville before the minor-league season wraps up, but the right-hander may not be activated from the 60-day injured list before the end of the regular season. Though he appears to be in line for a normal offseason of preparation, Lowder is still expected to pitch in the Arizona Fall League to make up for the development time he lost out on in 2025. He's spent the entire season on the injured list, first due to a right forearm strain suffered in spring training before he was shut down again after straining his left oblique during a rehab appearance with Louisville on May 22.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Beginning assignment Saturday
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Lowder (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Saturday.
Lowder has sat out the entire season while working his way back from injuries to his forearm and, more recently, his oblique. The Reds haven't ruled out a late-season return for the 23-year-old righty, though he would need a relatively quick rehab assignment to have time to make an appearance for the Reds before the end of the season.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Begins throwing program
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Lowder (forearm/oblique) threw a side session earlier this week and is expected to do so again Friday in front of team staff when the Reds are in Arizona, MLB.com reports.
The report indicates Lowder's side session went well, which is encouraging news for the team's 2024 first-round draft pick. The right-hander is not expected to pitch for Cincinnati or any of its affiliates this season but is expected to have a normal offseason, which will include the Arizona Fall League.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Gets clearance for mound work
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Lowder (forearm/oblique) has been cleared to begin throwing from a mound after an MRI on his oblique came back negative, MLB.com reports.
Lowder is scheduled to throw in the bullpen Sunday. The right-hander first experienced a forearm injury in spring training, then developed an oblique strain while rehabbing in May. The Reds expects him to have a normal offseason, but it's unclear how missing an entire season of development may impact his ability to compete for a spot in the Reds' rotation next spring.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Initiates throwing program
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Lowder (forearm/oblique) is tentatively scheduled to throw from a bullpen mound Aug. 17, MLB.com reports.
Lowder began a throwing program this week with the goal of being available to throw in the Arizona Fall League. The organization believes the right-hander should be set up for a normal offseason.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Targeting return for Fall baseball
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Reds manager Terry Francona said Lowder (forearm/oblique) is doing rotational stuff and is expected to start throwing this week, MLB.com reports.
Francona added that Lowder is going to have a "pretty big buildup." The organization is hopeful the 23-year-old right-hander will be available for the Arizona Fall League.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Still no baseball activity
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Lowder (forearm/oblique) continues to rehab in Arizona but has not yet participated in more advanced baseball activity, MLB.com reports.
Lowder endured elbow soreness and a forearm injury during spring training before an oblique injury paused his rehab assignment in May. The oblique is the issue now, and it threatens to scrap a year of development for the 23-year-old right-hander.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Reports to Arizona
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Lowder (forearm/oblique) reported to the Reds' complex in Goodyear (Ariz.) on Wednesday to begin a rehab program, MLB.com reports.
Lowder, who was rehabbing a forearm injury, had a rehab assignment paused when he incurred an oblique injury. The focus of his rehab is now on the oblique.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Moved to 60-day IL
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The Reds transferred Lowder (forearm/oblique) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Wednesday.
The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for lefty Wade Miley, who was signed Wednesday. Lowder originally went on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain but more recently suffered a left oblique strain while on a rehab assignment. The righty remains shut down with the oblique issue, and it's unclear when he'll be ready to resume his rehab assignment.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Rehab paused
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Manager Terry Francona said Saturday that Lowder (forearm/oblique) "won't be able to do much" for a few weeks, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
Lowder suffered an oblique strain during his rehab outing Thursday, and he'll now need to wait a few more weeks before he heads back to the team's complex in Arizona to restart his buildup process. There is no timeline in place for the right-hander to return, and he likely won't have one until he starts throwing again.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Dealing with oblique strain
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Lowder (forearm) exited Thursday's rehab start with a strained oblique, Charlie Goldsmith of the Dayton Daily News reports.
It's believed to be a "significant" strain, according to Goldsmith. Lowder was already working his way back from a forearm issue, so this new injury certainly sets him back. The No. 7 overall pick of the 2023 Draft, Lowder has yet to pitch in the big leagues this season, as he also dealt with some elbow soreness during the spring. His 2025 debut will have to wait even longer.
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Reds' Rhett Lowder: Completes second rehab start
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Lowder (forearm) gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits and one walk while striking out five over three innings in his rehab start Sunday with High-A Dayton.
After covering three innings in his first rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Tuesday, Lowder shifted his assignment to the Midwest League for his second outing. Though he was capped at three innings once again, Lowder pushed up his pitch count to 63 (45 strikes). Lowder's final line wasn't especially impressive, though he was a victim of some bad luck on balls in play, as all five of the hits he allowed were singles. Lowder is likely to make at least one more start in the minors before the Reds decide whether he's ready to return from the 15-day injured list. Cincinnati could have a spot available in the rotation for Lowder once he's activated, as he might be viewed as an upgrade over Chase Petty for the No. 5 spot while the team waits for Hunter Greene (groin) to make his return from the IL.
