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Reds Make Major Rhett Lowder Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Thomas Kelson | Last updated Jun 3, 2026 5:12 PM ET

The Cincinnati Reds are about to get a major boost to their starting rotation.

Ahead of today's game, manager Terry Francona announced that Rhett Lowder will be activated off the injured list to start Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Lowder has been out since leaving his May 7 start against the Chicago Cubs with right shoulder soreness. Before the injury, the 24-year-old was having an up-and-down season, going 3-3 with a 5.40 ERA over 38.1 innings.

His inflated ERA largely came from his May 2 start against the Pittsburgh Pirates, when Lowder failed to make it out of the second inning and allowed eight runs.

Lowder has had a difficult time staying on the field since making his major league debut in August 2024. He missed the entire 2025 season after suffering a forearm strain in spring training and later an oblique strain during his rehab assignment.

Rhett Lowder will start Sunday in St Louis per Terry Francona
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) June 3, 2026

When Lowder arrived in 2024, he immediately showed why the Reds selected him with the seventh overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

In six starts, Lowder went 2-2 with a 1.17 ERA across 30.1 innings. He struck out 22 batters and posted a 3.10 FIP.

Lowder made a rehab start for Triple-A Louisville last night, allowing three runs on six hits over five innings. He did not issue a walk and struck out eight. Francona and the Reds' coaching staff clearly believed they had seen enough from the right-hander despite making just one rehab appearance.

Lowder threw 70 pitches in that outing, so he likely will not have a full workload on Sunday. He could be limited to around 85 pitches.

Either way, Lowder's return could not come at a better time for a Reds team that has struggled to separate itself from the pack in the National League Central.

Cincinnati has hovered just above .500 for much of the season. The club currently sits at 31-29 and is seven games behind the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.

The Reds also recently lost star shortstop Elly De La Cruz and have struggled to find consistent offense outside of him, Sal Stewart, and JJ Bleday. Cincinnati owns a .229 team batting average, which ranks 27th in the majors.

With Lowder returning and Chase Burns emerging as one of the league's top young pitchers, the Reds can lean on their rotation until they get healthy.

Cincinnati will look to win its series against the Kansas City Royals later today at 6:10 p.m. CT with Burns on the mound.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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