Rhett Lowder exited the Reds-Cubs game on Thursday.
The Cincinnati Reds have endured struggles in recent action and things got even worse on Thursday. Cincinnati entered the game having dropped six consecutive contests. The ball club was hopeful that starting pitcher Rhett Lowder could help them turn things around, but Lowder left the game early due to right shoulder discomfort, according to Charlie Goldsmith. As for the game itself, the Cubs earned an 8-3 victory.
The Reds are searching for answers. They started the season strong but they are clearly in a slump at the moment. Every team goes through difficult stretches throughout a full 162 game season, but the way they respond often tells how much overall success they find.
The last thing Cincinnati needs is another injury, though. Hunter Greene and Eugenio Suarez are among the players battling injury trouble at the moment. It remains to be seen how serious Lowder's shoulder concern is.
The 24-year-old starting pitcher entered the 2026 campaign with high expectations. He is a young pitcher with a bright future. However, he now holds a 5.40 ERA across eight outings this year.
The Reds believe in Lowder. They will not give up on him anytime soon. For now, the ball club is focused on monitoring his injury concern.
The team will continue to monitor and provide updates on Rhett Lowder's injury status as they are made available.
Reds Trying to Get Back on Track
Cincinnati is now 20-18 overall and in last place in the National League Central standings. It was not that long ago that the Reds led the NL Central. Their losing streak has seen them fall down the standings, though.
Nevertheless, the Reds have displayed that they can compete at a respectable level. There is reason to believe that Cincinnati can bounce back sooner rather than later. Their road trip was unquestionably difficult, but moving forward is their only option at the moment.
The Reds will now return home for a six-game homestand against the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals. It should be a stretch of games that prove to be quite favorable for Cincinnati given the Astros and Nationals' struggles this year. Cincinnati will have a tremendous opportunity to get back on track.
The homestand will begin on Friday night when the Reds host the Astros. First pitch for the ball game is scheduled for 6:10 PM EST in Cincinnati. Perhaps they will turn things around this week.