Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona delivered important injury news on Friday regarding two players. Pitcher Rhett Lowder sustained a notable oblique injury during a recent rehab start with Triple-A Louisville, sidelining him for an extended period. Meanwhile, outfielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand is advancing in his recovery and headed to Triple-A Louisville for the next phase of his rehabilitation assignment. The update on Encarnacion-Strand marks a key development in his road back to full health.
Lowder had to leave his latest game after just one pitch in the second inning, immediately showing discomfort and favoring his left side. Francona described the injury as significant during the Reds’ pregame press conference, emphasizing the seriousness of the condition. Jim Day from FanDuel Sports Network added further insight during the Reds’ series opener against the Chicago Cubs, highlighting the typical severity of oblique strains.
When you hear oblique strain, alarm bells go off,
Jim Day said.
And then more alarm bells when you hear Terry Francona describe it as fairly significant. No timetable from the Reds, but we are talking about months with this type of injury.
—Jim Day, FanDuel Sports Network
Expected timeline and impact of Rhett Lowder’s injury on Reds’ pitching
Lowder’s absence is expected to stretch into multiple months as further testing is conducted in Cincinnati. Although the exact recovery timeline remains uncertain, the injury will likely keep the right-hander off the mound until sometime after the All-Star break. The Reds have previous experience dealing with oblique injuries, as both Matt McLain and Tyler Stephenson also spent time sidelined due to similar issues this year. However, Lowder’s injury appears more severe than these past cases.
At present, the Reds are managing their pitching staff amidst these setbacks. Wade Miley is making progress from his own injury, offering potential stability to the rotation. Meanwhile, Carson Spiers remains on the 60-day injured list and is not expected back until mid-June. This string of injuries has diminished Cincinnati’s pitching depth considerably in recent weeks, raising concerns about their rotation’s durability.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand advances rehab, sent to Triple-A Louisville
Christian Encarnacion-Strand has departed the Reds’ team complex in Arizona to continue his rehab with the Louisville Bats, Cincinnati’s Triple-A affiliate. The outfielder has been sidelined since April 17 due to a lower back injury and had struggled offensively before the injury, hitting only .158/.183/.298 over 15 games. His assignment to Triple-A represents a positive next step in his rehabilitation process.
Upon returning to full health, Encarnacion-Strand could face stiff competition to regain a regular role in Cincinnati’s lineup. Spencer Steer has excelled defensively at first base and has also shown improved offensive production, batting .291/.328/.436 over his last 15 games while maintaining an 11-game hitting streak. Steer’s strong showing could limit Encarnacion-Strand’s chances of reclaiming a starting spot immediately.
The Reds do have the option to keep Encarnacion-Strand on Louisville’s roster, allowing him to continue playing and stay ready until Cincinnati requires his services at the major league level. This flexibility could prove valuable as the team navigates injuries and roster needs.