Reds’ Rhett Lowder Exits Start With Right Shoulder Discomfort

The article covers Cincinnati Reds rookie Rhett Lowder leaving his start against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning with right shoulder discomfort. It details the plan for an MRI and how the inning played out for both teams.

It also lays out Lowder’s early-season numbers and what the club might do next as they figure out his health.

Injury update and game flow

The Reds’ 21-year-old starter left after throwing 59 pitches. He’d given up a solo homer to Michael Conforto in the second.

Lowder started the fourth with two straight walks on nine pitches, then bounced a change-up in the dirt to Michael Busch. Manager Terry Francona came out for a mound visit as Lowder shook his shoulder.

After a quick chat with a trainer, they took him out. Lowder wanted to stay in, but the club put his health first.

Francona called it “some clicking” and said Lowder struggled to find his normal slot. The Reds said they’d get an MRI the next morning to see what’s really going on.

The decision to pull Lowder came with the game slipping away for Cincinnati. The Cubs jumped ahead with a seven-run fourth inning, their biggest frame of the year so far.

What the numbers say

Lowder’s day: three innings, one hit, four walks, one strikeout, and three earned runs. Reliever Connor Phillips came in and let those runners score.

The Cubs’ six-run swing in the fourth, capped by that seven-run outburst, pretty much ended things early. Cincinnati trailed 8-0.

Lowder came into the game with a 3-2 record and a 5.09 ERA over six starts. This was just the second time in 13 career starts he’s allowed a home run. It’s something he’s still working on as he tries to find his footing in the majors.

Reds context: what this means for Lowder and the rotation

Before Thursday, Lowder had shown flashes as Cincinnati’s rookie starter. The MRI the next day will tell them how serious the shoulder issue is—and whether he’ll need time off or just a quick tweak to the rotation.

The team and coaches have to weigh the short-term hit to the rotation and the long-term risks for a young pitcher still learning the ropes.

Key context to watch:

• Health status – The MRI results will decide how long Lowder sits out, if at all, and what kind of rehab he’ll need.
• Rotation implications – With Lowder part of a young rotation, any absence could mean a reshuffle or maybe someone else gets a shot from the bullpen.
• Season trajectory – When healthy, Lowder’s shown steady growth. What comes next will decide if he can hang on to a starting role for the rest of the season.

What comes next

The Reds are waiting on imaging to see how serious the shoulder issue is. Their medical staff wants to figure out if this is just a minor setback or something that might keep Lowder out for longer than one start.

While they wait for results, Cincinnati plans to keep a close eye on things. They’re already considering backup plans for the pitching staff if they need to adjust quickly.

For fans, it’s hard not to focus on the tension between excitement for a young pitcher and the nagging worry about rookie injuries. If the MRI looks clean, Lowder might jump right back in and give the Reds another boost as they chase momentum in a tough division.

Honestly, Thursday’s start just underlines how fast a season can shift. One small setback, and everything feels a little more uncertain.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Reds starter Rhett Lowder exits with right shoulder discomfort