LUCAS SIMS NEWS

Red Sox acquire reliever Lucas Sims from Reds The Boston Red Sox acquired reliever Lucas Sims from the Cincinnati Reds ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline.The Red Sox sent minor league rig...

JULY 30, 2024 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Traded to Boston The Red Sox acquired Sims from the Reds on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Ovis Portes, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact Sims has posted a 3.57 ERA and 40:20 K:BB over 35.1 innings in 2024 as a member of the Reds bullpen. The pending free agent boasts a career 27.5 percent strikeout rate but also an 11.9 percent walk rate. He'll slot in as a setup man for Boston in front of closer Kenley Jansen.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Traded to Boston The Red Sox acquired Sims from the Reds on Tuesday in exchange for Ovis Portes, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Impact Sims has posted a 3.57 ERA and 40:20 K:BB over 35.1 innings in 2024 as a member of the Reds' bullpen. The impending free agent boasts a career 27.5 percent strikeout rate but also an 11.9 percent walk rate. He'll help set up ahead of closer Kenley Jansen in Boston.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up relief win Sims (1-0) threw a scoreless inning and picked up the win in Sunday's victory over Washington.

Impact Sims fired a perfect top of the ninth inning and benefitted from the team's three runs in the bottom half of the frame to pull out a comeback win. He's coming off a career-high 67 appearances (61 innings) in 2023, when he operated as one of the primary setup relievers for closer Alexis Diaz.

APRIL 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Secures third save Sims struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 8-7 extra-innings win over the Diamondbacks.

Impact Sims took care of business in the 11th inning after Alexis Diaz and the Reds' shaky defense combined to blown a save chance in the 10th. This was Sims' third save of the season to go with 21 holds and four blown saves in 53 appearances. He's posted three consecutive scoreless appearances, and he's now at a 3.70 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 63:32 K:BB through 48.2 innings this season. The right-hander remains a solid setup man, but it would take a brutal slump from Diaz for Sims to be considered for closing duties.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss Sims (3-2) was tagged with Sunday's loss to the Brewers. He allowed two runs on one hit and one walk over two-thirds of an inning.

Impact The Reds held a 3-2 lead entering the eighth inning and were hoping to prevent a sweep at the hand of their division rivals. Sims, who closed out the seventh inning, allowed a walk and a single to lead off the eighth before Owen Miller's sacrifice fly tied the game. Another run was charged to Sims after he left the game. Sims, who has been near-impeccable as the Reds' primary setup reliever, entered the game with a 1.93 ERA over the previous 18.2 innings and was the bullpen with 13 holds.

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up relief win Sims (3-1) picked up the win over Milwaukee on Saturday. He allowed one walk and struck out two over 1.1 scoreless innings.

Impact It was a wild affair in Milwaukee, as the Reds came back twice to earn the victory. Sims is a trusted late-inning arm out of the bullpen for manager David Bell. Since June 1, the right-hander has a 2.04 ERA with 23 strikeouts and five walks over 17.2 innings. Most of the damage during that stretch came in one disastrous game when he ceded three home runs in one inning to Atlanta.

JULY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first save Sims picked up the save in Tuesday's 8-4 victory over the Nationals, striking out two in a scoreless inning.

Impact After Daniel Duarte allowed the first two Nationals to reach in the ninth inning, Sims came in to shut the door, striking out a pair to leave the tying run in the on-deck circle. It's the first save in three chances this year for Sims -- Alexis Diaz was unavailable after pitching in the Reds' previous two contests. While he won't be overtaking Diaz for the closing job, the 29-year-old Sims appears to be the next man up in Cincinnati's pen. He's pitched to a 3.31 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP and 42:18 K:BB across 32.2 innings this season.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns win in relief Sims (1-0) blew the save but picked up the win Wednesday against Texas. He struck out two over a scoreless inning.

Impact Sims came on in relief in the ninth inning after Ian Gibault departed with runners on first and second and no outs. He'd allow a sacrifice fly to Brad Miller, tieing the game 3-3, before recording a pair of strikeouts to avoid further damage. Sims has made four appearances this season without allowing a run, striking out four in 3.2 innings. Sims is arguably the Reds' best option in the bullpen behind Alexis Diaz, though he doesn't have a clear path towards fantasy relevance.

APRIL 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from 15-day IL Sims (back) was activated Tuesday from the 15-day injured list, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Sims will join the Reds' bullpen Tuesday against the Rays -- a day earlier than expected -- after logging three solid minor-league rehab appearances at Triple-A Louisville. He's battled a lot of injuries in recent seasons, but the 28-year-old right-hander could quickly rise into a prominent setup role if his health cooperates.

APRIL 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely coming off IL on Wednesday The Reds are expected to reinstate Sims (back) from the 15-day injured list prior to Wednesday's game against the Rays, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Sims has already rejoined the Reds in Cincinnati, but he'll get a couple more days to rest up following his recent three-appearance rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. He covered exactly one inning in each of those outings and gave up no runs on one hit and two walks while striking out three. Once activated, Sims will likely settle back into a setup role in front of closer Alexis Diaz.

APRIL 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starts up rehab assignment Sims (back) will begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Louisville.

Impact Since Sims' placement on the IL is retroactive to March 27, he'll be eligible for activation as soon as Tuesday, but it's unclear if he'll be immediately reinstated at that time. The Reds will likely wait and see how he fares during his upcoming appearance Sunday before deciding whether he's fit to join the big-league bullpen or requires at least one more outing in the minors. Once activated, Sims is expected to settle into a setup role in front of closer Alexis Diaz.

APRIL 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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