Lowder looking to lock in as Reds' rotation competition revs up
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GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- In a departure from his previous spring outings, some things were missing from Reds rotation candidate Rhett Lowder's start vs. the Rangers on Saturday. Namely, Lowder's sharpness was lacking, as was his efficiency.
Lowder threw 76 pitches in only 3 1/3 innings while allowing two runs (one earned), four hits and four walks with four strikeouts. He still has a 3.75 ERA for the spring.
“Definitely just a grind from the jump," said Lowder, who threw 24 pitches in the first inning and 25 more in the second as part of that grind. "Never really got in a flow of just getting them easy. I managed traffic for the most part. There’s a couple of things I should have done better.”
Lowder, 24, successfully navigated his way through a scoreless first inning after giving up a single and four-pitch walk with one out. Things got wooly in the Texas second inning, which included two more walks and two error pickoff throws by the right-hander, plus another error by right fielder JJ Bleday. One of them scored an unearned run.
"We had guys up early [in the bullpen]. That's why when people ask me about six-man rotations, that's the best example [not doing it] right there," manager Terry Francona said after the 4-3 Reds win. "If that happens [the] first week of the season -- because you're looking at finishing six innings -- it just doesn't work. But I think he's fine. He didn't locate quite like he needed to."
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A second four-pitch walk by Lowder opened the fourth inning. His four-walk day was double the total he had entering the day.
"If it was a different situation, we could have challenged a pitch here or there. But lack of focus, really, is a four-pitch walk," Lowder said. "That’s all I can say about that, really.”
Lowder, who has a four-pitch mix and used them all almost evenly, exited the game after striking out Jose Herrera looking for the first out of the fourth inning.
“I feel good. Pitch count got up there today," Lowder said. "I wished I could have gotten another out but pitch count is probably more important anyway. It’s climbing. I feel good. I feel strong.”
As Spring Training winds down towards its final week, the Reds still have a three-way competition for two rotation spots with Lowder competing against Chase Burns and lefty Brandon Williamson. In a shortened outing on Friday, Burns threw two scoreless innings vs. the Giants, while Williamson's next start is scheduled for Sunday.
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It's been an important spring for Lowder to show he's physically ready to pitch every fifth day after he missed all of 2025 with right elbow and left oblique injuries. Ranked as the No. 86 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, he debuted late in the 2024 season and had an impressive 1.17 ERA in six starts.
“I’ve said it plenty of times: No matter what happens, I want to be the best pitcher I can be," Lowder said. "I want to be the best version of myself. I’ve got to keep working. I feel good physically, mentally. I think this game is a mental game no matter what, so if it’s not one thing, it’s another, so you’ve got to be strong no matter what.”