The Cincinnati Reds had encouraging injury updates. Before their matchup with the Diamondbacks, manager Terry Francona told reporters in Arizona that pitchers two key contributors are both scheduled for bullpen sessions. According to Charlie Goldsmith of Fox19, Lowder—who hasn’t thrown in the majors this year after suffering an elbow injury over the winter followed by an oblique setback during his rehab—could still return before the 2025 season ends.
Burns, meanwhile, last pitched 16 days ago in Pittsburgh, where he struck out 10 batters. Unlike Lowder, his absence has been brief, and expectations remain that he’ll be back this season, potentially soon. The bigger uncertainty revolves around his role. With his innings already piling up, the Reds have considered easing him into the bullpen later in the year to manage his workload while still keeping him active. His recent downtime from injury may actually help preserve some innings, giving the team the option to use him for a couple more starts or shift him directly into relief upon his return.
Lowder’s situation is trickier. Looking ahead strictly to 2025, the Reds must decide whether it’s worth stretching him out as a starter—despite the likelihood that he won’t be ready to make regular big-league starts this season—or instead preparing him for a bullpen role in September and possibly the postseason, where he could provide short bursts of innings if healthy in time.