Terry Francona may have just opened a door Reds fans thought was slammed shut

The Cincinnati Reds had a chance to close the gap in the NL Wild Card race over the weekend, but instead were swept right out of Sacramento by the Athletics. The Reds lost three straight games to one of the worst teams in the American League, and as a result, are now 2½ games back of the New York Mets in the chase for the final spot in the NL Wild Card.

But some unexpected reinforcements could be on the way. Reds manager Terry Francona spoke about the potential for Rhett Lowder to return to the active roster after the right-hander went two innings with Triple-A Louisville during a rehab assignment over the weekend.

“I think the best way we can think about it is trying to get him ready to pitch (in the big leagues) because, one, he could help us,” Francona told C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic (subscription required), “And, two, that’s probably the best way for him to get back before whenever his season is over, he knows he’s good to go.”

Terry Francona may have just hinted that Rhett Lowder could return to the Reds before the end of the 2025 season

Reds fans were blindsided by Lowder's injury when he arrived in Goodyear this past spring with a lingering elbow ailment. The rookie spent some extra time in Arizona rehabbing the injury before being sent to the minor leagues in order to increase his workload.

Another injury crept in, however, and Lowder was sidelined with an strained oblique midway through the season. For all intents and purposes, it sounded like Lowder's season was over with and the Reds were contemplating sending him to the Arizona Fall League next month as a means to get in some work before heading into the offseason.

These latest comments from Francona, however, seem to suggest that Lowder could return to the active roster before the end of the season. Given the current state of the Reds bullpen, having the former first-rounder pitching in relief could be a welcome boost to the Cincinnati pitching staff down the stretch.

Lowder's next rehab outing is scheduled for Friday with the Louisville Bats, and if he comes out of that contest healthy, it's possible Reds fans could see the right-hander back on the active roster for the final week of the regular season.

More Cincinnati Reds News and Rumors