Rhett Lowder allowed two earned runs on one hit and two walks while striking out four over five innings in Friday's win over the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder continues a solid stretch on the mound of late, allowing two earned runs or less in four of his last five trips to the mound. The right-hander remains difficult to trust as one of the more inconsistent options when called on to toe the rubber for manager Terry Francona, posting a 5.61 ERA and 1.57 WHIP with a 3-7 record and 1.8 K/BB ratio across 18 appearances this season.

Rhett Lowder allowed eight earned runs on 11 hits while striking out two over 2 1/3 innings in Saturday's loss to the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder has struggled to miss opposing bats of late, allowing three earned runs or more in each of his last four starts. The right-hander could potentially be relegated back to the bullpen as one of the more dismal starting options for manager Terry Francona when called on, posting a 5.75 ERA and 1.64 WHIP with a 3-7 record and .804 OPS allowed through 17 appearances.

Reds manager Terry Francona said Sunday that Lowder will rejoin the starting rotation after the All-Star break, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander was shifted to the bullpen last week after Hunter Greene was cleared to come off the injured list and will now re-enter the rotation following Nick Lodolo's (finger) placement on the injured list Sunday. Lowder -- who will be available out of the bullpen for Sunday's game against the Cubs -- has pitched well in his two relief outings with just one run allowed over five frames. He posted a 5.31 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over his 13 starts.

Lowder will pitch out of the bullpen until the All-Star break, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox19 Now reports. "When we get to next Sunday, we'll see where we're at and map it out from there," Reds manager Terry Francona said over the weekend. "We're not trying to make Lowder a bullpen guy. We're trying to figure out ways to protect our staff, win games and get through this next week."

EDGE Analysis

Lowder's transition to the bullpen was triggered by the return of Hunter Greene to the rotation. Lowder is expected to provide length as a reliever but could also get use in high-leverage spots when a right-hander is needed.

Lowder (3-6) took the loss Tuesday against the Brewers, allowing six runs on 11 hits and one walk while striking out eight over 4.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder flashed electric stuff early, coming one pitch shy of an immaculate inning in the first and recording another strikeout-filled frame in the third. However, things unraveled in the fourth, as he surrendered six singles -- five consecutively -- leading to four runs. The right-hander returned for the fifth, but Jake Bauers greeted him by sending the first pitch over the fence for a solo homer. While the eight strikeouts established a new career high, so did the 11 hits allowed. Lowder has not completed six innings since April 20 and has posted a 0-5 record with a 7.22 ERA across 33.2 innings since. He is set to face Baltimore at home his next time out.

Lowder (3-5) took the loss against the Brewers on Wednesday, allowing three runs on eight hits and one walk with six strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder allowed three runs on two homers in the third inning but was otherwise able to keep the Brewers in check, generating 13 whiffs on 100 pitches and departing one out shy of a quality start. While the 24-year-old has lost back-to-back decisions, he's posted a solid 3.66 ERA through four outings since returning from the injured list June 7. He owns a 4.81 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 48:29 K:BB across 58 innings this season and lines up for a road rematch with the Brewers next week.

Lowder (3-4) took the loss Friday as the Reds were blanked 5-0 by the Yankees, giving up four runs on six hits and three walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

While the right-hander didn't get any help from his offense, Lowder also gave up plenty of loud contact. Half the hits off him went for extra bases, including second-inning homers by Jazz Chisholm and Ben Rice that accounted for all the damage off Lowder. He's also issued multiple free passes in five straight starts, stumbling to a 7.85 ERA, 1.96 WHIP and 17:18 K:BB in 18.1 innings over that stretch. With Hunter Greene (elbow) having begun a rehab assignment, the clock is likely ticking on Lowder's time in the big-league rotation. He'll look to right the ship in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against the Brewers.

Lowder allowed one run on five hits and two walks while striking out six batters over 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Arizona on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder returned from a one-month absence against St. Louis in his previous start and looked quite rusty, issuing five walks over three scoreless innings. The right-hander was much more in control Saturday, handing out a tolerable two free passes and throwing 62 of 96 pitches for strikes. Lowder also racked up a solid 15 whiffs and fanned six batters, and the only run he allowed came on a first-inning homer by Corbin Carroll. This was a promising outing for Lowder, but he's projected for a tough challenge his next time out, as he's lined up for a road matchup against the Yankees.

Lowder took a no-decision Sunday against the Cardinals, allowing no runs on one hit and five walks in three innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

After missing just over three weeks of action with right shoulder discomfort, Lowder showed plenty of rust in his return to the major leagues Sunday following a lone minor-league rehab appearance. The 24-year-old right-hander threw only 34 of his 70 pitches for strikes, also walking a season-worst five hitters, but he managed to keep St. Louis off the board. Lowder has issued at least three passes in three consecutive outings en route to posting a shaky 5.01 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 31:23 K:BB over 41.1 innings, so he'll be searching for some control his next time out versus Arizona.

The Reds activated Lowder (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder landed on the injured list May 13 due to right shoulder discomfort, and he's slated to make his return as Sunday's starting pitcher after missing just over three weeks. The right-hander tossed 70 pitches for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday in his lone rehab appearance, so he may be held to a pitch count in his return to the big-league rotation. To make room for Lowder on the 26-man roster, Cincinnati optioned reliever Luis Mey to Louisville.