LUCAS SIMS NEWS

Placed on 15-day IL Sims (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list Thursday.

Impact Bell was bothered by back spasms throughout much of March and will need a little more rest and rehab before he can jump into the Reds' bullpen. The 28-year-old might eventually emerge again as a high-leverage option in Cincinnati, though he has some proving to do after his lost 2022.

MARCH 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will open season on injured list Reds manager David Bell confirmed Wednesday that Sims (back) will open the season on the injured list, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Impact Sims has been bothered by back spasms, and the reliever won't be ready for the start of the season. Bell also said that Sims along with Luke Weaver (forearm) will likely pitch in rehab assignments for Triple-A Louisville before they're ready to join the Reds. Assuming he has no further setbacks, Sims has a good chance to pitch in the late innings for Cincinnati in the middle of April.

MARCH 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shut down with back spasm Sims has been shut down for a few days with a back spasm, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact 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.

MARCH 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for start of spring training Sims (back) reported to spring training earlier this week and will be a full participant in camp, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids arbitration Sims (back) signed a one-year, $1.27 million contract with the Reds on Friday to avoid arbitration, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set for season-ending surgery Sims will undergo season-ending surgery to address a herniated disc in his back, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Sims entered the season looking like the favorite to close games in Cincinnati, but he'll finish it with just a single save to his name. He missed the start of the season with elbow troubles and returned to make just six appearances, giving up seven runs in 6.2 frames, before returning 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 the surgery at this point in the year at least gives him plenty of time to get ready for spring training.

JULY 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Transferred to 60-day IL Sims (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Impact 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.

JUNE 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reds beat pitcher Lucas Sims in salary arbitration

Pitcher Lucas Sims lost to the Cincinnati Reds in salary arbitration and will get $1.2 million instead of his $1.6 million request, leaving clubs with a 7-3 advantage in decisions

JUNE 9, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Set to begin throwing program Reds manager David Bell said Sims (back) will begin a throwing program Tuesday or Wednesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact 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.

MAY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not yet throwing 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.

Impact 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.

MAY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with bulging disc in back Sims is dealing with a bulging disc in his back, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact 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.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on 15-day IL Sims was placed on the 15-day injured list with low back spasms Thursday, retroactive to May 11.

Impact 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.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bombed in mop-up outing Sims gave up five runs, all earned, in two-thirds of inning in Wednesday's loss to the Brewers. He gave up one hit while walking four batters.

Impact Sims was in a "get-work" outing, having last pitched on Saturday and then five days prior to that. If the Reds beat the odds and actually have a save chance on Thursday, there's a reasonable likelihood that Sims won't be available after throwing 34 pitches Wednesday.

MAY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first save Sims tossed a scoreless inning and notched a save against St. Louis on Sunday.

Impact 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.

APRIL 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from 10-day IL Sims (elbow) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact 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.

APRIL 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Slated to return Friday Sims (elbow) is slated to rejoin the Reds' bullpen Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Sims has been on the injured list since the start of the regular season after dealing with back and elbow injuries during camp, but he made his final rehab appearance Wednesday and struck out one in a scoreless inning at Triple-A Louisville. The right-hander made a career-high 47 relief appearances for the Reds last year and converted seven of 10 save chances with a 4.40 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 47 innings. Once he's officially activated, Sims will join a crowded late-inning mix in the Reds' bullpen that also includes Tony Santillan, Art Warren and Hunter Strickland.

APRIL 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab appearance encouraging Manager David Bell said Wednesday that he received encouraging reports from Sims' (elbow) rehab appearance that he threw Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer repor...

Impact Sims was delayed in camp due to elbow and back injuries, but it's encouraging that he was able to begin a rehab assignment early in the regular season. He gave up a run via a solo homer in his one inning Tuesday, but he apparently felt good afterward. Bell is optimistic that Sims could return by the time the Reds return home to face the Cardinals on April 22.

APRIL 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Begins rehab assignment Sims (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Impact Sims has been behind schedule since the start of camp after dealing with elbow and back issues over the winter, though the Reds never seemed to be concerned about any long-term absence. He looked like the favorite to close heading into spring training but was never officially named the closer, so his role upon his return is not yet clear. Tony Santillan and Art Warren have picked up the Reds' two saves so far this season.

APRIL 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab assignment on tap Sims (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville this week, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Sims performed well in his live BP session Friday, and the right-hander will take another step in his recovery process this week. If all goes well in Louisville, manager David Bell is optimistic that Sims could rejoin the Reds as early as next weekend for the team's home series against the Cardinals.

APRIL 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lands on 10-day IL Sims (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Impact Sims tossed a bullpen session Saturday but isn't expected to be ready for game action until mid-to-late April. He's expected to be the favorite for closing duties once he's back to full health, but Art Warren, Luis Cessa and Hunter Strickland will vie for save chances while Sims is unavailable.

APRIL 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to begin season on IL Sims (elbow) is expected to begin the regular season on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Sims threw a bullpen session Saturday, but he'll still likely begin the season on the injured list. He's expected to return by mid-to-late April, putting him on a similar trajectory to starter Luis Castillo (shoulder). In his absence, Hunter Strickland, Art Warren and Luis Cessa are all expected to receive save opportunities.

APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Throws side session Sims (elbow) completed a side session Wednesday and plans to throw against hitters before the end of camp, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact The Reds have already confirmed the right-hander will begin the season on the injured list after dealing with elbow and back injuries over the winter, though the hope is he'll only spent the 15-day minimum on the shelf. Sims was expected to open the campaign as the favorite for save opportunities, but Art Warren, Luis Cessa and Hunter Strickland are all in the mix to close in the meantime for Cincinnati.

MARCH 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Trip to injured list confirmed Sims (elbow) will begin the season on the injured list, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Sims entered camp behind schedule after dealing with elbow and back issues over the winter. There haven't been reports of any setbacks, but he's yet to pitch in a game this spring and won't have time to get up to speed by Opening Day, as manager David Bell confirmed Monday. Art Warren, who posted a 1.29 ERA and a 41.5 percent strikeout rate in 21 innings last season, could open the season as the Reds' closer as a result.

MARCH 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Likely unavailable for Opening Day Manager David Bell said Sunday that Sims likely won't be ready for Opening Day after entering spring training behind schedule due to elbow and back issues, Bobby Nightengale of The...

Impact Sims isn't currently injured, but having to deal with the elbow and back injuries while prepping for spring training is likely to delay his availability for the start of the season. The 27-year-old could open the campaign on the injured list, though any absence isn't expected to be a lengthy one. Sims is the favorite to operate as Cincinnati's closer to open the season, but that job could fall to Art Warren if Sims is indeed unavailable.

MARCH 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Potentially out for Opening Day Sims acknowledged that he "had a couple of hiccups" with his elbow and back while gearing up for spring training and could begin the season on the IL, Bobby Nightengale of The Cinc...

Impact Previously, Sims denied any issues, and he's currently healthy now and throwing bullpens, but is a little behind schedule from his teammates during this truncated spring training. "There is no point in rushing, getting back and then in a couple weeks if something flares up and if we don't do it the correct way, I don't want to miss more time than I have to," said Sims.

MARCH 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE