Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Rhett Lowder has been sidelined with a serious oblique injury suffered during a recent rehab start at Triple-A Louisville.
The right-hander exited the game after throwing just one pitch in the second inning, immediately stepping off the mound while favoring his left side.
Reds manager Terry Francona described the injury as “significant” during Friday’s pregame press conference, raising concern about a long-term absence.
Lowder, one of the Reds’ top young arms, had been working his way back from a prior injury and was close to rejoining the team’s rotation.
His return was seen as a potential boost for the Reds, who have been battling injuries throughout their pitching staff this season. However, this latest setback will likely keep him off the mound until after the All-Star break, with no official timetable yet released by the team.
FanDuel Sports Network’s Jim Day emphasized the seriousness of the injury during the Reds’ series opener against the Chicago Cubs, saying, “When you hear oblique strain, alarm bells go off—and then more alarm bells when you hear Terry Francona describe it as fairly significant.” Oblique strains are notoriously tricky for pitchers, often requiring extended rest and a slow rehab process to avoid reinjury.
This isn’t the first time the Reds have been hit with a major oblique injury. Earlier this season, catcher Tyler Stephenson and infielder Matt McLain both spent significant time on the injured list with similar issues.
However, Francona made it clear that Lowder’s strain appears to be more severe than those previous cases, casting doubt on his availability well into the second half of the season.
In the meantime, the Reds will look to other options to fill the gap in the rotation. Wade Miley is currently working his way back from his own injury, and his eventual return could provide much-needed depth.
However, with Carson Spiers already on the 60-day injured list, Cincinnati’s pitching depth has taken a noticeable hit, and the team may need to explore additional reinforcements if injuries continue to pile up.
Lowder was in Cincinnati this week for further evaluation, though results from additional testing have yet to be disclosed. While fans had hoped to see the promising right-hander contributing soon, it now appears they’ll have to wait until later in the season—if not longer. For a team still fighting to stay competitive in the NL Central, Lowder’s extended absence is a tough blow.
