Cincinnati Reds pitcher never got his season started. As soon as the team reported to Goodyear, Arizona for spring training in February, he was shut down with a lingering elbow issue and never pitched in a Cactus League game.
The setback immediately disrupted the Reds’ rotation plans, and while the team returned to Cincinnati for Opening Day, He stayed behind to recover. Just as he was working his way back toward the majors, he suffered a strained oblique, another blow to his season.
By mid-June, the Reds ruled him out for the year, with intentions of sending him to the Arizona Fall League as part of his rehab. However, over the weekend it was announced that Lowder will throw a bullpen session Tuesday and, if things go well, again Friday.
Manager Terry Francona hinted that Lowder could even rejoin the active roster before the 2025 season wraps up.
Reds bullpen just got huge boost from surprising Rhett Lowder injury update
The news is a major development that could significantly impact Cincinnati’s bullpen heading into the final stretch. The Reds were already planning to shift Chase Burns and Nick Martinez into relief roles for the last month of the 2025 season, but the possibility of Rhett Lowder joining them could alter the entire playoff picture.
Lowder isn’t going to return as a starter—there simply isn’t enough time for him to build up his workload, and the rotation is already set.
However, if he proves fully recovered from his oblique injury, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the former first-round pick make his 2025 debut out of the bullpen. His presence would give the Reds another reliable late-inning option.
While a return this year still feels unlikely, his bullpen work this week could determine whether he has a chance to pitch before season’s end. Regardless, his progress is an encouraging sign for both the Reds’ immediate depth and their rotation outlook for 2026.
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