Cincinnati Reds starter Rhett Lowder exits game early with apparent injury

TL;DR

Cincinnati Reds starter Rhett Lowder exited the game early with an apparent injury after walking two batters in the fourth inning. This adds to the team's struggles, including a six-game losing streak and multiple injuries to key players.

Key points

Rhett Lowder exited the game with an apparent injury
Cincinnati Reds are on a six-game losing streak
Emilio Pagan and Brandon Williamson are also injured
Nick Lodolo is set to return to the team soon
Chase Petty may be called up to fill in for Lowder

Rhett LowderCincinnati RedsChicago CubsEmilio Pagan

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 2: Rhett Lowder #25 of the Cincinnati Reds reacts in the first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 2, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cincinnati Reds entered play against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon in Wrigley Field mired in an ugly 6-game losing streak. Said streak featured a Saturday game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in which they walked *seven* consecutive batters en route to a 17-7 loss, and the first three games of the series against the Cubs all had ended in walk-off losses. They’d lost closer Emilio Pagan to a hamstring injury that could cost him two months. They chose to move lefty starter Brandon Williamson to the 60-day IL with what was originally considered just ‘shoulder fatigue,’ meaning he’ll be out until almost July. Still, things found a way to somehow still get worse on Thursday, as starter Rhett Lowder – the same guy who was on the mound for many of those seven straight walks in Pittsburgh in his previous start – exited in the Bottom of the 4th with a trainer after walking back to back batters to start a second straight inning. MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon relayed the news. Yes, the Reds are going to get back tomorrow for the first time all year, but this is the kind of thing that’s going to seriously test their pitching depth. , thank heck, looked much improved from his dismal 2025 debut when getting what then seemed like a spot-start in the series opener against the Cubs, and we now get to wonder if he’ll be brought right back to the big leagues to help fill in for Lowder, should he need an extended absence. Keep in mind that Williamson hitting the shelf is apparently at least partially related to the injuries he dealt with last season, as coming back full-steam after missing an entire year put too much stress on his shoulder. Lowder, too, basically missed all of 2025 with forearm and oblique issues, and it’s enough to wonder if pushing him back to full-go from the start in 2026 might have taxed something too much, too quickly. We’ll find out soon. For now, the Reds get to find a way to claw themselves back into it after one of the worst weeks in recent memory.

Q&A

What injury did Rhett Lowder sustain during the game?

Rhett Lowder exited the game with an apparent injury after walking two batters in the fourth inning, but specific details about the injury have not yet been disclosed.

How does Rhett Lowder's injury affect the Cincinnati Reds' pitching rotation?

Lowder's injury further tests the Reds' pitching depth, especially following the loss of closer Emilio Pagan and starter Brandon Williamson to injuries.

When is Nick Lodolo expected to return to the Reds' lineup?

Nick Lodolo is expected to return to the Reds' lineup tomorrow, marking his first appearance of the year.

Cincinnati Reds starter Rhett Lowder exits game early with apparent injury

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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