Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder's rehab assignment paused due to oblique strain

New York Times

23-05-2025

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder's rehab assignment has been paused after an MRI showed a left oblique strain following his shortened outing Thursday night for Triple-A Louisville.
Lowder, 23, dealt with elbow soreness in spring training and was making his fourth rehab start when he left Thursday night's game after just one pitch in the second inning.
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Lowder threw 11 pitches in a scoreless first inning versus the Gwinnett Stripers, giving up a walk to Jarred Kelenic before retiring the next three batters on five total pitches.
The seventh pick in the 2023 draft out of Wake Forest, Lowder made six starts for the Reds last season, going 2-2 with a 1.17 ERA. After starts in Arizona and at High-A Dayton, Lowder didn't make it out of the first inning in his first start for Louisville, giving up four runs on four hits and a walk in just 1/3 of an inning.
Lowder is the Reds' second-ranked prospect, according to The Athletic's Keith Law, who also ranked him the No. 48 prospect in baseball before the season.
Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte is currently on the IL with an oblique strain and catcher Tyler Stephenson missed time in spring training and the first month of the regular season with the same injury.
The team also signed infielder/outfielder Garrett Hampson to a major-league contract Friday. To make room on the 40-man roster, the team transferred right-hander Carson Spiers to the 60-day IL. Spiers went on the IL with a right shoulder impingement last month. Outfielder Rece Hinds was optioned to Louisville to make room for Hampson on the 26-man roster.
Reds manager Terry Francona also said that first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand, on the IL since April 17 with lower back inflammation, will begin a rehab assignment with Louisville on Sunday.