Rhett Lowder's return creates a Reds rotation crunch (but the solution is simple)

Lost in the shuffle of all the Cincinnati Reds roster madness on Tuesday afternoon the welcome news that Rhett Lowder was heading to Triple-A Louisville as part of rehab assignment. The Reds' right-hander isn't expected to be overly limited by a pitch count, and there's hope among the coaching staff that Tuesday's tune up will be all he needs in order to rejoin the roster.

If and when Lowder returns, it presents a problem for the Reds starting rotation. Cincinnati would have six starters and only five spots to fill. But according to Reds manager Terry Francona, the team already has a plan in place.

Francona told Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith prior to Tuesday's game against the Kansas City Royals that Chris Paddack will be available out of the bullpen on Wednesday (if Lowder comes out of his rehab start unscathed). Paddack joined the Reds' rotation in May after Lowder landed on the IL, but it appears as though he'll be operating as a reliever once the rotation returns to full strength.

Chris Paddack will head to the Reds bullpen when Rhett Lowder returns

This was one of several paths the Reds could've chosen once Lowder returns from the IL, but it's always been the most likely. After DFA'ing Lyon Richardson and Brandon Leibrandt on Tuesday, the Reds bullpen doesn't have anyone who can offer the team much length.

Paddack has been a starter throughout most of his Major League career. Among his 128 games in the big leagues, all but nine came as a starting pitcher. The veteran has already made one relief appearances earlier this season with the Miami Marlins, and he gave the Detroit Tigers five relief outings in 2025.

So far this season for the Reds, Paddack owns a rather disappointing 5.40 ERA with eight strikeouts and seven walks over 15 innings of work. And while those numbers aren't necessarily inspiring, Cincinnati can't afford to just release him at this stage of the season.

The Reds learned quickly this year that they're pitching depth isn't near as strong as they supposed. Hunter Greene will be out of action until July, and Brandon Williamson is currently on the 60-day IL. Pitching prospect Chase Petty has battled blisters issues this season, and Nick Lodolo missed the start of the season with a similar problem.

Keeping Paddack on the active roster isn't necessarily the best solution, but it's obviously the direction the Reds are choosing to go if Lowder returns to the active roster in time for his next start.