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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder missed the entire regular season due to a variety of injuries. He suffered a right elbow strain in March and was left off the Reds Opening Day roster. An oblique strain torpedoed Lowder's chances of returning to pitch during the regular season, and his status heading into the offseason was murky at best.
A new development, however, will give Reds fans hope. Recent reports revealed that Lowder will head out West this month and participate in the Arizona Fall League. The Reds saw Matt McLain take a similar approach last fall, and fans are hopeful that this bodes well for Lowder's chances to return to the mound in 2026.
At the moment, all five spots in the Reds rotation look to be occupied. Chase Burns stepped up and likely solidified his place heading into next spring, and Lowder is now on the outside looking in. Burns, Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer will presumably open the 2026 season as the Reds starters.
Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder is off to pitch in the Arizona Fall League
Lowder isn't the only Reds' pitcher coming off an who'll be vying for a spot in the 2026 rotation. Julian Aguiar and Brandon Williamson — both recovering from Tommy John surgery this past season — flashed potential in 2024, though both lack the high pedigree, consistency, and upside of Lowder.
Carson Spiers likely would've been in the mix as well until he suffered an elbow injury and underwent Tommy John surgery back in July. Chase Petty is another name to watch linger. A high-upside arm, Petty's abhorrent 2025 season sank his stock dramatically. The right-hander has great stuff, but terrible control, and he may follow Connor Phillips' path into the Reds bullpen.
MLB’s No. 80 prospect Rhett Lowder is #ValleyBound
— MLB's Arizona Fall League (@MLBazFallLeague) October 3, 2025
Lowder is the Reds No. 5 prospect and has a 1.17 ERA in six big league outings (30.2 IP) with the club. He was drafted in the 1st round (seventh overall) in the 2023 draft.
Stay tuned to see who else is Valley Bound for the… pic.twitter.com/yCQjaaTEdp
Reds fans are eager to see Lowder back in action after his dominant six-start debut in 2024. He has a long way to go, but one rotation injury will catapult him back into the mix.
It remains to be seen, however, if the Reds will look to make additions to the rotation this offseason or stand pat with their group of young hurlers. Lowder's performance in the AFL could be a deciding factor in Cincinnati's next move this offseason.