Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder never got a chance to show what he could do this season. After reporting to spring training in Goodyear, Arizona, in February, he was immediately sidelined due to a lingering elbow issue and didn’t pitch in any Cactus League games.
Lowder’s early injury was a big blow to the Reds’ starting rotation plans. While the team headed back to Cincinnati to start the 2025 season, Lowder stayed in Arizona to recover. Just as he was nearing a return, another setback occurred—a strained oblique—which seemed to end his season entirely.
By June, the Reds had officially ruled Lowder out for the year and planned to send him to the Arizona Fall League as part of his long-term rehab. But over the weekend, in a surprising twist, it was reported that Lowder will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday—and again on Friday if all goes well. Manager Terry Francona even hinted that Lowder could make it back onto the active roster before the 2025 regular season wraps up.
This unexpected development could be a huge boost to the Reds’ bullpen. The team was already preparing to shift Chase Burns and Nick Martinez to relief roles in the final stretch of the season. If Lowder can join them, it might reshape the Reds’ late-season strategy and strengthen their playoff hopes.
Realistically, Lowder won’t return as a starter—there isn’t enough time to stretch him out, and the rotation is already full. However, if he proves he’s healthy, the former first-round pick could still contribute out of the bullpen. His presence would add another high-impact option to Cincinnati’s relief corps.
While a return this season still seems unlikely, Lowder’s upcoming bullpen sessions could determine whether that door remains open. At the very least, his progress is a promising sign for both the Reds’ 2025 bullpen and their 2026 starting rotation.
