GOODYEAR, Ariz. — When the Cincinnati Reds’ pitchers and catchers go through their first workout on Wednesday, rookie right-hander Rhett Lowder will be there, but won’t be participating because of soreness in his elbow.
Lowder started feeling soreness in his right elbow a couple of weeks ago, said Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall. Lowder underwent an MRI and there was no structural damage and his delayed progression for the upcoming season is more of a precaution than anything, Krall said.
“With Lowder, we told him, ‘You’re not 37 trying to hang on, you’re a young kid and we need to keep an eye on you and take care of you,’” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “So we’ll do that.”
Lowder is the Reds’ No. 2 prospect according to The Athletic’s Keith Law,
Infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer will be limited to begin spring training. Steer dealt with shoulder soreness at the end of the 2024 season and is still rebuilding strength in that shoulder. Krall said Steer will likely serve as a designated hitter in early Cactus League games before moving back to the field.
It is too early to make any determination for either Lowder or Steer’s availability for Opening Day, Krall noted.
Who’s on first (and second and third)?
The majority of the Reds’ position players play at multiple spots and they will all likely play all over the diamond early in spring training, Francona said.
“In a perfect world, you can keep guys — or at least your main guys — at their positions, but at the beginning of camp, you’re going to see guys move around,” Francona said. “As we get towards the end, if things are going well, you’ll start to see guys playing where we’ll think they’ll play but we have to answer some questions first.”
The Reds have multiple options at every position. As it stands, the only two players who seem to be set in the lineup would be catcher Tyler Stephenson and shortstop Elly De La Cruz, but Francona wouldn’t even commit to those two.
There is too much that can happen between the start of spring training and its conclusion, Francona noted.
Newcomer Gavin Lux will get work around the diamond in Reds camp. (Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images)
A year ago, there was handwringing about where Jonathan India would play with Matt McLain expected to start at second base. India played at first base, second base and even the outfield until McLain was injured. McLain didn’t play at all in 2024, and India still hasn’t played a defensive position other than second base in the big leagues.
Francona said he wants to see if Jeimer Candelario can be an option at third base. The team is also going to have to see where Gavin Lux can play in addition to second base. Lux, who came into last spring as the starting shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers before being moved back to second, is expected to get work at first, second and third base and in the outfield. Francona added that Christian Encarnacion-Strand came into camp in such great shape that he’d like to see him more at third base.
“We’re on the same team, so we want to put guys in a position where they can play their best baseball,” Francona said. “I’m not sure we know what that is today, but hopefully we will pretty soon.”
2 absent, 2 added
All but two of the Reds’ pitchers and catchers reported to camp by Tuesday, and the Reds officially added another reliever Tuesday and expect to add another Wednesday.
Left-hander Joe La Sorsa is recovering from an illness and is expected to return in a few days. Right-hander Albert Abreu has yet to secure his visa, but is expected to report by next week. Both La Sorsa and Abreu are non-roster invitees to camp.
The Reds announced the signing of right-hander Josh Staumont to a minor-league deal with an invitation to big-league camp. The Reds also reached an agreement with right-hander Scott Barlow to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million, The Athletic confirmed with team sources. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers first reported the signing.
Barlow, 32, was 3-3 with a 4.25 ERA and two saves in 63 appearances with the Cleveland Guardians last season. He has 58 career saves, all but two coming in his six seasons in Kansas City. He also pitched for the San Diego Padres in 2023.
(Top photo of Rhett Lowder: Katie Stratman / Imagn Images)
