Reds reshuffle roster with latest bullpen addition, prepare for Rhett Lowder's debut

For the third day in a row, the Cincinnati Reds have reshuffled their roster. On Wednesday, the Reds added Brandon Leibrandt to the active roster and designated Casey Kelly for assignment. The Reds also announced that Rhett Lowder was added to the taxi squad and is expected to make his major league debut on Friday when the Milwaukee Brewers come to town.

The Reds have sent an opener to the hill the past two days, but Julian Aguiar will toe the rubber for Cincinnati on Thursday evening. The rookie right-hander got his first major league win during his last start and will be looking to stop the bleeding as the Reds have lost two straight to the visiting Oakland Athletics.

Reds reshuffle roster with latest bullpen addition, prepare for Rhett Lowder's debut

Leibrandt has spent the entire season at Triple-A Louisville. The lanky left-hander last pitched in the major leagues back in 2020. That year, Leibrandt was a member of the Miami Marlins and posted a 2.00 ERA in five outings. Leibrandt struck out three and walked seven that season.

This year with the Louisville Bats, Leibrandt has operated as a starter and reliever. The southpaw is 3-4 in 15 games with a 4.46 ERA and 1.280 WHIP. Leibrandt will likely give some length on Thursday night, much in the same way Kelly did on Wednesday.

After Wednesday's opener Fernando Cruz exited having surrendered two runs over three inning, manager David Bell turned to Kelly. The right-hander allowed three runs on five hits in 2.1 innings of work, so it's no surprise that Kelly was DFA'd. The 34-year-old can accept an outright assignment back to Triple-A and finish out the season with his father as the Bats' manager.

Leibrandt's time on the roster may be short-lived as well with Lowder on his way up. The Reds top prospect is expected to start Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader. Lowder was the No. 7 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and has soared through the Reds' farm system this season, making just one start at Triple-A before his big league debut.

With Lowder on the taxi squad, don't be surprised to see the young right-hander in the Reds dugout tonight for the team's series finale against the A's. The Reds have yet to annouce a starter for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader, but it's most likely to be either Carson Spiers or Nick Martinez.

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