The Cincinnati Reds' rough patch just got even rougher. Thursday's matinee against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field took a troubling turn when starter Rhett Lowder exited early with an apparent injury, adding to what's been a nightmare stretch for the club.

Already mired in a six-game losing streak, the Reds saw Lowder—who struggled mightily in his last outing, walking seven straight batters in a 17-7 loss to the Pirates—leave in the bottom of the fourth inning. After walking back-to-back batters to start a second consecutive frame, the right-hander signaled for the trainer. It's a concerning sight for a team that's had its share of pitching woes.

The injury bug has been relentless. Closer Emilio Pagán is sidelined with a hamstring issue that could keep him out for two months, and lefty Brandon Williamson was moved to the 60-day IL with what was initially called "shoulder fatigue," pushing his return to nearly July. Now, with Lowder potentially joining that list, Cincinnati's pitching depth is being tested like never before.

There is a silver lining: Nick Lodolo is set to make his season debut Friday, providing a much-needed boost. But the bigger question is whether the Reds will turn to young arm Chase Petty, who showed real improvement in what seemed like a spot start earlier this week. His strong outing against the Cubs might earn him a quick call-up to fill the gap if Lowder's absence extends.

It's worth noting that both Williamson and Lowder have injury histories that raise red flags. Williamson's shoulder issues stem from a lost season last year, while Lowder missed most of 2025 with forearm and oblique problems. Pushing them back to full workload early in 2026 may have been a gamble that's now backfiring.

For Reds fans, this is a tough pill to swallow after one of the most brutal weeks in recent memory. But in baseball, adversity often reveals character—and depth. How Cincinnati responds could define their season.