Reds’ Rhett Lowder Faces Hitters in Simulated Game; Rehab Looms

The Reds’ Promising Young Arm Inches Closer to a Return

The Cincinnati Reds are watching one of their top pitching prospects, Rhett Lowder, as he takes a big step in his recovery from a right shoulder injury.

Let’s get into what his latest throwing session means for his return and how the Reds are handling things to keep him healthy for the long haul.

Lowder’s Progress: A Simulated Session in Queens

Coming back from an injury is never a straight line. Rhett Lowder just took a pretty important step.

He got back on the mound at Citi Field—yeah, the Mets’ place—to face live hitters. Simulated games like this let him test his arm in game-like conditions, but without the full-on stress of a real start.

Forty-Five Pitches and a Positive Outlook

Lowder threw 45 pitches to a handful of Reds teammates. Outfielder Will Benson was one of them, always a solid guy to face in practice.

Afterward, Lowder said he “feels good.” That’s honestly the thing you want to hear most from a pitcher coming off an injury. If he can throw his stuff and walk away feeling confident, that’s a huge deal.

This session was all about gradually ramping up the intensity. Getting through 45 pitches without a setback is a solid sign his shoulder’s holding up.

He’s moving forward, ready for the next phase of his comeback. The early recovery and strengthening seem to have paid off so far.

The Next Steps: Rehab Assignment on the Horizon

Now that he’s checked that box, the Reds have their eyes on a minor-league rehab assignment for Lowder.

That’s pretty standard—pitchers need a few games to build up stamina and get sharp, and it’s just less stressful than going straight back to the majors.

Targeting a 70-Pitch Outing with Triple-A Louisville

If Lowder keeps feeling good in the next few days, he’ll likely make a rehab start soon. The target? Around 70 pitches.

He’d probably do that with the Reds’ Triple-A team, the Louisville Bats, in Memphis. It’s a controlled way to keep building up his arm strength and endurance.

Jumping from 45 to 70 pitches is a pretty big leap, but it shows the Reds trust his progress. Triple-A gives them a chance to keep a close eye on him and tweak things if needed—without the pressure cooker of a big-league game.

Managerial Wisdom: Health is the Ultimate Priority

Reds manager Terry Francona is as experienced as they come. He’s made it clear: there’s no set-in-stone return date for Lowder.

Health comes first. Francona noted Lowder only missed two or three days of throwing, so the injury wasn’t too severe at the start.

They’ve focused on getting his range of motion back and retraining the muscles around his shoulder. That’s what really matters for keeping him on the mound in the future.

The Injury Itself and Lowder’s Season So Far

Rhett Lowder left his start on May 7th against the Chicago Cubs after feeling discomfort. He exited in the fourth inning, and the Reds put him on the 15-day injured list on May 13th, retroactive to May 10th.

The team listed right shoulder pain as the reason. It’s not exactly what you want to hear about a young pitcher.

Before this, the 24-year-old rookie showed flashes of what he could do. In eight starts, he went 3-3 with a 5.40 ERA.

Those stats aren’t eye-popping, but he’s still getting settled in the majors. Over 14 career outings, he has a 5-5 record and a more encouraging 3.52 ERA.

A Glimpse into his Promising Draft Position and Debut

The Cincinnati Reds picked Lowder seventh overall in the 2023 MLB draft, betting on his upside from Wake Forest. He debuted in August 2024 and wasted no time making an impression.

Across six starts in that first stretch, he posted a brilliant 1.17 ERA. That’s not something you see every day from a rookie.

Lowder also dealt with a right forearm strain last season, which kept him to just five minor-league games. It’s probably why the Reds are being cautious with his shoulder now.

 
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