Lowder was scratched from his second scheduled rehab assignment start with Triple-A Louisville after his shoulder didn’t bounce back well from his first outing.
“Lowder wasn’t comfortable with the way he was recovering,” Reds manager Terry Francona said.
Lowder, 23, underwent an MRI exam and that, at least, provided good news.
“Everything was structurally really good,” Francona said. “But we’ve got to slow him down. I think we’re going to keep him in Louisville … and try to build him back up. Where that goes and when that goes, I don’t know if anybody knows.”
On Saturday for Louisville, Lowder threw 34 pitches over two innings and allowed one earned run, two hits with no walks (one hit batter) and two strikeouts.
The seventh overall selection by Cincinnati, Lowder is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the organization and No. 60 overall. He debuted in the big leagues on Aug. 30, 2024, and posted a 1.17 ERA in six starts.
A right forearm strain forced Lowder to begin this season on the injured list. He was nearing a return in late May when a severely strained right oblique during a rehab start with Louisville derailed his efforts.
