Reds Starter Rhett Lowder Exits Early Amidst Ongoing Injury Struggles

The Cincinnati Reds faced the Chicago Cubs on Thursday afternoon at Wrigley Field, hoping to shake off a disheartening six-game losing streak. This rough patch included a particularly painful game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, where they walked seven consecutive batters, leading to a 17-7 defeat. To add to their woes, the Reds experienced walk-off losses in each of the first three games of their series against the Cubs.

In addition to their recent struggles, the Reds lost closer Emilio Pagan to a hamstring injury that could sideline him for up to two months. Left-handed starter Brandon Williamson was moved to the 60-day injured list due to what was initially deemed ‘shoulder fatigue,’ a setback that will keep him out until nearly July.

Things took a turn for the worse on Thursday when starter Rhett Lowder, who struggled with the seven walks in his previous outing, exited the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. After walking two consecutive batters to start the inning, Lowder was attended to by a trainer and left the field. MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon reported the development, casting a shadow over the Reds’ pitching plans.

While the Reds are set to welcome back Nick Lodolo for his first appearance of the season tomorrow, Lowder’s potential absence raises concerns about the team’s pitching depth. Chase Petty, who showed marked improvement in his last outing against the Cubs, may find himself back in the big leagues to help cover for Lowder if needed.

Williamson’s injury issues seem to be connected to the struggles he faced last season, as returning from a year-long absence has placed significant stress on his shoulder. Similarly, Lowder missed most of the 2025 season due to forearm and oblique injuries, prompting questions about whether pushing him back to full capacity too soon in 2026 has taken its toll.

As the Reds navigate these challenges, they must find a way to rebound from what has been one of the toughest weeks in recent memory.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.