Lowder was told by the Reds that he has made the Opening Day roster, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder was informed along with fellow starters Brandon Williamson and Chase Burns. The three of them will occupy two rotation spots and back each other up in those spots due to their recent injury histories and/or lack of experience. Lowder is coming back from a forearm injury and oblique strain that he suffered in 2025.

Lowder allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and four walks while striking out four over 3.1 innings in Saturday's spring start against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

The results weren't pretty, but Lowder was able to work around traffic on the bases. The righty also built his pitch count up to 76 (44 strikes). After a couple of breezy outings to open the Cactus League, Lowder has been stung for seven runs (four earned), 11 hits and four walks over seven innings in his last two starts. Still, he's probably done enough to nail down one of the two available spots in the rotation. Chase Burns and Brandon Williamson are also in the mix for those vacancies

Lowder allowed five runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out four over 3.2 innings in Monday's spring start against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

The Athletics jumped on Lowder for four runs and four hits in the first inning, when the right-hander expended 26 pitches. He told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com that catcher Tyler Stephenson's mound visit helped turn him around. In three Cactus League outings (two starts), Lowder has a 4.15 ERA with 11 strikeouts and two walks over 8.2 innings. He remains in competition with Chase Burns and Brandon Williamson for the final two spots in the rotation.

Lowder allowed two hits and struck out three over three scoreless innings in Wednesday's spring start against Team Cuba.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder had another strong effort in his third outing, mixing in all four of his pitches during the 43-pitch appearance. It was his second consecutive scoreless effort, and he's now recorded 21 consecutive outs. The right-hander is part of a group competing for the final rotation spot, but Lowder's addition to the starting staff appears to be a formality, especially now that No. 1 starter Hunter Greene left camp to get his elbow checked out.

Lowder allowed one walk and struck out three over three hitless and scoreless innings in Friday's spring start against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder was on point with all of his pitches, dispatching nine of 10 batters faced on 30 offerings (21 strikes). He was so efficient that the right-hander retired to the bullpen to throw another 10 pitches. This was Lowder's first Cactus League start and second spring outing. The ability throw all his pitches for strikes should serve him well in the competition for the final spot in Cincinnati's rotation.

Lowder allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out four over two innings in Saturday's spring game against Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder was the second of three pitchers competing for the Reds' fifth spot in the rotation used in their Cactus League opener. He followed Chase Burns (two scoreless innings, three walks) and was followed by Julian Aguiar (two innings, one run). For Lowder, who missed all of 2025 with forearm and oblique injuries, this was his first game action in a big-league setting since September of 2024. The right-hander threw 37 pitches (23 strikes).

Lowder threw a bullpen session Monday that manager Terry Francona described as "very polished," Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder showed no rust after missing all of 2025 with a forearm injury followed by an oblique strain. The right-hander was able to have a normal offseason, which included work in the Arizona Fall League. Lowder's in the mix for the final rotation spot along with Julian Aguiar, Chase Burns and Brandon Williamson.

Lowder's velocity returned to the 93-95 mph range during short outings in the Arizona Fall League last year, Keith Law of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder missed all of the 2025 season initially with a forearm injury, which he rehabbed, before a strained oblique muscle kept him off the mound until the AFL. In addition to a velocity bounce-back, the right-hander showed a plus changeup and a sharper slider that missed bats. Lowder enters spring training healthy and will compete for a spot in the rotation.

Lowder (oblique/forearm) has made three starts for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Reds are being careful with Lowder, who has thrown two innings in all a three of his outings. The 2023 first-round selection allowed two runs on four hits while striking out six with zero walks. The right-hander is coming off a lost season due to his injuries and pitched a total of 9.1 innings in rehab outings. The club believes Lowder will have a normal offseason and compete for a rotation spot out of spring training.

Lowder (oblique/forearm) was activated from the 60-day injured list Monday, per MLB's transactions log.

EDGE Analysis

Lowder made it through a brief scare in his rehab as it was taking him a bit longer than expected to recover between outings, but MRI results returned negative and he's since been activated. He worked only two innings during his last rehab appearance Sept. 13 against Triple-A Toledo, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Reds roll him out for a relief appearance or two during the final week of the regular season.