Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reds Top Prospect Will Be Out for Extended Time

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gary Schatz | Last updated May 24, 2025 9:37 PM ET

Rhett Lowder had a severe setback in his return from left elbow ailments.

Lowder, who didn’t make it out of the first inning in his last start, strained his left oblique. The left-hander had an MRI.

“He’s going to be out awhile,” Terry Francona said. “The way he explained it, he had been feeling it for a while, not terrible. He kind of manipulated his delivery. Then he got a little frustrated and was like screw it, man. Then he went after it and really blew it out.”

Veteran left-hander Wade Miley made two starts for Louisville. He pitched eight innings in those games, allowing three earned runs on eight hits and a walk. He struck out four.

Miley could be the next man up if his progression continues.

Chase Burns, another top prospect, is dominating at Double-A Chattanooga. He made five starts and owns a 3-1 record. He pitched 24 innings, allowing five earned runs for a 1.88 ERA. Burns walked only three batters and fanned 35. Double A hitters have a .216 batting average against him with three home runs.

Outfielder Jake Fraley is on a rehab assignment in Louisville. He will DH as his strained calf heals.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand was 0-for-3 in his start in the ACL Reds team in Goodyear, Arizona. He is scheduled to DH at Louisville on Sunday.

A distant pitching prospect to keep an eye on is Luke Hayden, who is pitching at High-A Dayton. The 22-year-old right-hander was Cincinnati’s eighth-round choice in the 2024 draft out of Indiana State University. He made seven starts for the Dragons. Hayden owns a 1-0 record with a 1.80 ERA. He pitched 34 innings, allowing seven earned runs. Opponents have a .153 batting average against him. He walked 15 and struck out 34.

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

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