Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Rhett Lowder delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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ALBEMARLE — The first third of the 2025 MLB campaign hasn’t gone as planned for Cincinnati pitching prospect and former North Stanly ace Rhett Lowder, who now faces a new injury after previously being sidelined since spring training due to strained right forearm.

On May 22, making his fourth Minor League rehab start of the season (and his second for Triple-A Louisville), Lowder experienced a significant left oblique strain and was pulled from the game in the second inning.

After just one pitch in the second inning, and only 12 overall, the former Wake Forest standout was seen grabbing at his side and his night on the mound soon came to a close.

An MRI later confirmed the diagnosis, and while the timetable is still to be determined for his return to the big leagues, Lowder is now expected to be out for an extended period, according to a May 24 report from Cincinnati manager Terry Francona.

“He explained that he had been feeling it for a while,” Francona said of the Reds’ No. 2 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) to Reds’ media members. “Not terrible, but like guys do, he kind of manipulated his delivery where he could (pitch). Then, I think he got a little frustrated. Then, he went after it and he really blew it out. He’s gonna be awhile.”

As the seventh overall selection in the 2023 MLB draft, the 23-year-old right-handed pitcher had a promising showing in his rookie season last year, pitching his way to a 1.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 2-2 record in his six starts on the mound for the Reds.

In addition to not allowing a single homerun in over 30 innings pitched, Lowder did not allow a run in four of his six starts.

However, his arm soreness had clearly affected his pitching in his three recent rehab assignment starts heading into his last one, entering with a 0-3 record, 14.21 ERA and 13 hits allowed in 6.1 innings at three levels.

He managed to record just one out in 29 pitches during a previous rehab start against Triple-A Indianapolis, departing after giving up four runs on four hits and a walk; opposing batters have recorded a .394 batting average against him during his four starts this year.

Lowder will now be on the mend for both of his injuries, healing up as he looks to restart the rehab process through the Minor Leagues once again.