Sims has been shut down for a few days with a back spasm, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
He had season-ending back surgery last year, yet the team says it's not related to that procedure to address a herniated disk. Either way, it sounds like Sims is could still make the Opening Day roster.
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Reds' Lucas Sims: Ready for start of spring training
Rotowire
Sims (back) reported to spring training earlier this week and will be a full participant in camp, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Sims was limited to just 6.2 innings at the big-league level 2022 before undergoing season-ending surgery, and he gave up seven runs over that span. The right-hander has been an effective relief option when healthy, however, and he's expected to re-enter the high-leverage mix for Cincinnati now that he's made a full recovery from back surgery. Reds manager David Bell has named Alexis Diaz the closer, so Sims will have to settle for setup work early on.
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Reds' Lucas Sims: Avoids arbitration
Rotowire
Sims (back) signed a one-year, $1.27 million contract with the Reds on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Sims' season was cut short in 2022 after undergoing season-ending surgery on his back, and the 6.2 innings he managed to pitch early in the year weren't pretty (9.45 ERA, 1.65 WHIP). It's possible he'll work his way back into the closer role Cincinnati had planned for him going into 2022, though it may take a while before he gets there.
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Reds' Lucas Sims: Set for season-ending surgery
Rotowire
Sims will undergo season-ending surgery to address a herniated disc in his back, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Sims entered the season looking like the favorite to close games for Cincinnati, but he'll finish it with just a single save to his name. Elbow troubles limited him to just six appearances, in which he gave up seven runs in 6.2 frames, before he returned to the injured list with back problems. He attempted to pitch through the issue, but it got bad enough that he was in serious pain and couldn't feel his foot. Undergoing surgery now at least gives him plenty of time to get ready for spring training.
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Reds' Lucas Sims: Transferred to 60-day IL
Rotowire
Sims (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.
Sims began a throwing program in late May but won't be eligible to rejoin the Reds until at least mid-July after being moved to the 60-day injured list. It's not clear how much progress the right-hander has made in his throwing progression, but Art Warren and Alexis Diaz are the top two closing options in the Reds' bullpen after Tony Santillan (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday.
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Reds' Lucas Sims: Set to begin throwing program
Rotowire
Reds manager David Bell said Sims (back) will begin a throwing program Tuesday or Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Since he's a reliever, Sims shouldn't require too extensive of a ramp-up period, but he'll still need to advance from playing catch to throwing off a mound to facing hitters before he's cleared to head out on what should be a brief minor-league rehab assignment. Before lower-back spasms forced him to the 15-day injured list May 12, Sims looked to be near the front of the pecking order for saves out of the Cincinnati bullpen, but it's unclear where he'll stand in the Reds' late-inning plans once he eventually returns. Alexis Diaz, Art Warren and Tony Santillan have all picked up one save apiece since Sims was placed on the IL.
Sims (back) has yet to resume a throwing program and won't return from the 15-day injured list when first eligible May 26, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Sims was placed on the injured list last week due to a bulging disc in his back and has remained shut down from throwing since landing on the shelf. The 28-year-old is now likely to be out until at least early June, and a specific return timeline is unlikely to come into focus until he's cleared to start a throwing program.
Reds' Lucas Sims: Dealing with bulging disc in back
Rotowire
Sims is dealing with a bulging disc in his back, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Sims was diagnosed with low back spasms when he was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday, and manager David Bell clarified the nature of the 28-year-old's injury following the move. The right-hander started some light exercises and core strengthening Thursday. Bell said he doesn't have a prediction regarding how long Sims will be sidelined but said that he hasn't heard anyone talk about the injury as a long-term issue. Art Warren, Tony Santillan and Hunter Strickland are the top candidates for ninth-inning work in Sims' absence.
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Reds' Lucas Sims: Placed on 15-day IL
Rotowire
Sims was placed on the 15-day injured list with low back spasms Thursday, retroactive to May 11.
The 28-year-old spent the first few weeks of the season on the injured list due to an elbow injury, and he'll now be sidelined with a back issue. Over his six appearances this season, the right-hander has picked up a win and a save while posting a 9.45 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 6.2 innings. Art Warren, Tony Santillan and Hunter Strickland are the favorites for save chances while Sims is sidelined. It's not yet clear when Sims will be able to return to game action.
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Reds' Lucas Sims: Bombs in mop-up outing
Rotowire
Sims gave up five runs in two-thirds of inning during Wednesday's 18-4 loss to the Brewers. He gave up one hit while walking four batters.
Sims was in a "get-work" outing, having last pitched Saturday and then five days prior to that. If the Reds beat the odds and actually have a save chance Thursday, there's a reasonable likelihood that Sims won't be available after throwing 34 pitches Wednesday.
Sims tossed a scoreless inning and notched a save against St. Louis on Sunday.
Sims was activated from the injured list Friday and was tagged with two runs in his season debut Saturday. The Reds went right back to him Sunday and he fired a perfect inning, forcing three straight groundouts to close out the 4-1 win. The 6-foot-2 righty recorded seven saves in 47 innings last season.
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Reds' Lucas Sims: Activated from 10-day IL
Rotowire
Sims (elbow) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Sims' activation was expected Friday, and he'll be available to make his season debut after missing the start of the year with an elbow issue. The righty made four rehab appearances at Triple-A Louisville and allowed a run on two hits and a walk while striking out five in four innings. He should be part of Cincinnati's committee of late-inning relievers that also includes Tony Santillan, Art Warren and Hunter Strickland.
