The Cincinnati Reds have finally brought up a reinforcement on good terms, rather than out of necessity. The last place club has seen their pitching ranks decimated by injuries, and the churn they’ve been going through in that time has seen arms brought up for stints and designated for assignment just to free up roster spots for future churn.
On Sunday, though, they welcome back one of their best and brightest.
The Reds activated righty Rhett Lowder after he was sidelined for weeks with a shoulder
problem, and Lowder will be given the ball to start Sunday’s series finale in Busch Stadium against the St. Louis Cardinals. Reliever Luis May was optioned to make way, the team announced.
For now, at least, that means righty Chris Paddack will stick around, albeit in a long-man role and not in the starting rotation.
The Reds have dropped each of the first two games of the series in St. Louis, with Saturday’s coming in yet another late bullpen implosion. They’ve fallen under .500 and, once again, own last place in the National League Central division.
First pitch for Sunday’s finale is set for 2:15 PM ET. Here’s how the Reds will line up for it:
