The Cincinnati Reds have received a significant boost as rookie right-hander Rhett Lowder has officially returned to the mound after an extended recovery process. The team entered spring training knowing that Lowder, their 2023 first-round draft pick, would not be available to start the season on time due to elbow issues that surfaced in January. After experiencing delayed recovery following bullpen sessions, an MRI confirmed there was no structural damage, but additional rehab was necessary to rebuild strength. Throughout spring training, he was unable to reach game readiness—until now.
According to a report from Jim Day during Saturday’s broadcast, Lowder has successfully resumed throwing off a mound, marking a crucial step in his return. This development is a welcome relief for the Reds, who have been managing their rotation with depth options while awaiting his comeback.
While this is a positive sign, the road to full game action remains a process. Typically, pitchers arrive at spring training having already thrown off the mound, and even then, it takes five to six weeks of structured work to build up their pitch count for major league games. Given that Lowder is just beginning this stage, fans may need to wait a little longer before seeing him in full competition.
More Good News for the Reds’ Pitching Staff
Beyond Lowder’s return, the Reds have additional reasons for optimism regarding their pitching staff. Another key pitcher, Andrew Abbott, who also started the spring recovering from an injury, is nearing his return. The left-hander pushed hard to be ready for Opening Day but wasn’t able to build up enough in time. In his absence, Carson Spiers will take the fifth spot in the rotation next week. However, Abbott took a major step forward on Thursday, throwing five innings in a minor league game in Arizona. He has since returned to Cincinnati, bringing another boost to the team’s depth.
Abbott was placed on the injured list on March 24th, making him eligible to return as soon as April 8th. He may make a rehab start before then, with Triple-A Louisville being the most likely option. The Bats begin a new series in Omaha on Tuesday, which aligns with a normal five-man rotation schedule. With other Reds minor league affiliates not beginning play until April 5th, Louisville remains the logical choice for Abbott to stay on track for a smooth return.
Triple-A Standout Impresses with Elite Velocity
Meanwhile, the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, the Louisville Bats, has started its season on a strong note, winning both of its opening games. On Saturday, they secured a 4-1 victory over the Memphis Redbirds, with an exciting pitching performance grabbing attention.
Luis Mey, making his Triple-A debut, pitched a perfect seventh inning, delivering 10 pitches—seven of them strikes. His dominant fastball stood out, with the slowest clocking in at 100.1 MPH and the fastest reaching 102.5 MPH against former Reds shortstop José Barrero, resulting in a pop-out to second base.
As previously noted on RedsMinorLeagues.com, a 102.5 MPH fastball is impressive on its own, but what makes Mey’s velocity even more remarkable is that he throws a sinker rather than a traditional four-seam fastball. Baseball America’s list of minor league pitchers who hit 100 MPH in 2024 ranked Mey’s 103.0 MPH max velocity as the sixth-highest overall. Notably, all five faster pitches were four-seamers, making Mey’s ability to generate that kind of speed on a sinking fastball even more unique.
Looking Ahead
With Rhett Lowder making progress, Andrew Abbott nearing his return, and Luis Mey flashing elite potential, the Reds’ pitching outlook is improving. While Lowder still has work to do before he is fully game-ready, his return to the mound signals that Cincinnati could soon see a much stronger rotation taking shape. Fans can now look forward to his eventual return to game action, adding another promising arm to the staff as the season progresses.
