Reds sign Paddack to MLB deal as Lowder joins IL

The Reds signed veteran right-hander Chris Paddack to a one-year Major League deal on Wednesday, when the team also placed right-hander Rhett Lowder on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder pain. Catcher P.J. Higgins was designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot for Paddack.

Lowder's move to the IL was anticipated. He exited his start last Thursday against the Cubs with the shoulder issue, telling manager Terry Francona that he heard “a clicking” in his right shoulder. An MRI taken Friday revealed no structural damage to the shoulder, but the team said it planned to place him on the injured list to rest.

“I think our thought was we're trying not to put a band-aid on something [and] that we want this kid to be able to pitch, and pitch for a long time and not get interrupted," Francona said. "So hopefully, a couple weeks down will do him a world of good."

Lowder, 24, has gone 3-3 with a 5.40 ERA over eight starts in his second MLB season. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft was a revelation down the stretch in 2024, when he posted a 1.17 ERA in his first six big league starts, but he missed all of 2025 with forearm and oblique issues.

Paddack, 30, had spent most of the 2026 season in the Marlins' rotation after the club signed him to a 1-year Major League contract in February. He posted a 7.63 ERA over seven appearances (six starts) with the team before the Marlins designated him for assignment on May 5.

Paddack owns a 32-41 record with a 4.79 ERA and 556 strikeouts over parts of eight Major League seasons with the Padres, Twins, Tigers and Marlins.