A long year for Cincinnati Reds bench hand Nathaniel Lowe took another turn when he was dealt via trade to the Cleveland Guardians, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
The trade comes ahead of the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline with the Reds sitting at 52-57 and 4.5 games out of a playoff spot.
During spring training, Lowe opted to remain in camp and continue pursuing a major-league roster spot after the death of his mother, 60-year-old Wendy Lowe, who dealt for years with an aggressive form of brain canter. The endeavor was successful for Nathaniel Lowe, who made the Opening Day roster out of camp and stuck with the team all season.
In 79 games through July 30, Lowe hit .255 with an .803 OPS.
A former Gold Glover, Silver Slugger winner and World Series
champion with the Texas Rangers in 2023, Lowe hit 12 home runs in and drove in 33 RBI in 257 plate appearances.
Lowe contributed to the Reds' hot start to 2026 as the club posted a 20-11 record through April. On April 24, Lowe hit a late-night, walk-off home run against the Detroit Tigers at Great American Ball Park. The start of the game had been delayed by rain, and Lowe's game-winning homer arrived just prior to midnight.
The trade market for Lowe formed because of his formidable reserve bat, experience playing first base, and the fact that he was on an expiring contract.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds trade Nathaniel Lowe to Cleveland Guardians
