Reds fans blindsided by injury news that could reshape trade deadline approach

The Cincinnati Reds had already placed Rhett Lowder on the 60-day injured list back in early-June after the rookie suffered an oblique injury during a rehab appearance at Triple-A Louisville. But if any fans were holding out hope that Lowder would return sometime later this season, Reds manager Terry Francona squashed that notion rather quickly.

“He's going to have pretty big buildup," Francona told members of the media. The Reds skipper then informed everyone that Lowder won't return to the mound this season and his next in-game action might be during the Arizona Fall League. Matt McLain followed a similar path in 2024 after missing the entire season with a shoulder injury.

That is quite the blow to a Reds starting rotation that's already without their top starter Hunter Greene. Carson Spiers is on the 60-day IL as well, and after being pulled off his rehab assignment, may be facing the same season-ending fate as Lowder. How will this impact the Reds' upcoming trade deadline strategy?

Reds fans blindsided by Rhett Lowder injury update that could reshape Cincy's trade deadline approach

All of the sudden, the starting rotation is beginning to look rather shaky. Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott have been lights out, but Chase Burns is on an innings-limit, Nick Martinez has been inconsistent, and Brady Singer is coming off one of his worst starts of the season.

In addition to both Greene and Spiers, the Reds are also without right-handed starting pitcher Julian Aguiar and lefty starter Brandon Williamson. Aaron Wilkerson, who was pitching for the Reds down in the minor leagues, recently opted out of his deal and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Reds have some reinforcements at Triple-A with both Chase Petty and Brian Van Belle on the Bats' roster. Petty, however, has struggled during his three Major League appearance this season. Van Belle's made five starts for the Bats since being traded from the Boston Red Sox and is 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA.

The Reds continue to hang around .500 and Nick Krall has yet to decide which direction to go at the trade deadline. Without Lowder and a little more than a week remaining, it might be time for Krall and Co. to consider adding a backend starter to the roster if they're serious about making a playoff push.

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