LUCAS SIMS NEWS

Denies injury concerns Sims said Saturday that he's "all clear" regarding any potential arm troubles, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Reds general manager Nick Krall said earlier in the day that Sims was behind schedule to start camp, though he didn't give a reason for the delay. An arm injury seemed like the most logical explanation, given that Sims dealt with elbow issues last year, but that's apparently not what's ailing the righty. Sims' draft stock should perhaps dip slightly until the conflicting reports are cleared up, but it still looks as though he has a real chance to open the year as the Reds' closer.

MARCH 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Behind to start camp Sims is behind to start camp, though the Reds have yet to specify why, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact Sims looks like the favorite to close in Cincinnati this season, as his 4.40 ERA last year came with ERA estimators that painted a far more positive picture, with SIERA (2.50) and xERA (2.51) looking the most optimistic. His 39.0 percent strikeout rate is closer material, while his 9.2 percent walk rate was only half a point worse than league average. He was limited to 47 innings by elbow troubles, however, and his readiness for Opening Day could be in doubt if it's another elbow issue that's bothering him this spring.

MARCH 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reds reliever Lucas Sims has transformed into one of the league's best strikeout artists Lucas Sims leads all MLB relievers by striking out 48.2% of the batters he's faced since the beginning of August.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

C. Trent Rosecrans: David Bell said he trusts Lucas Sims to face... - The Athletic David Bell said he trusts Lucas Sims to face the best hitters in baseball, even Nolan Arenado. In the bottom of the 8th with the score tied...

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Earns relief win Sims (5-2) struck out two in 1.1 perfect innings to earn the win Sunday against the Phillies.

Impact Sims was charged with a loss and blown save in his last appearance when he allowed three runs (two earned) in two-thirds of an inning against Atlanta on Wednesday. However, he worked as a middle reliever Sunday and earned his fifth win of the season after he relieved starter Sonny Gray in the bottom of the fifth inning. The 27-year-old has made three appearances since he returned from the injured list, and he's held the opposition scoreless in two of those outings.

AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Blows save, takes loss Sims (4-2) was charged with a loss and a blown save Wednesday against the Braves.

Impact In the top of the 11th inning, Cincinnati put up a run to take the lead. The team then turned the ball over to Sims in hope that the 27-year-old could close things out, but he instead served up a walkoff three-run homer to Ozzie Albies. The unsuccessful outing will likely hurt Sims' chances of leaping to the front of a closer committee that also includes Heath Hembree and Amir Garrett, and his 5.34 ERA and 1.38 WHIP on the season don't scream the numbers of a typical closer.

AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

C. Trent Rosecrans: Lucas Sims will be activated today, David Bell... - The Athletic Lucas Sims will be activated today, David Bell said. The decision on the move has not been made yet, though. Nobody in the bullpen has optio...

AUGUST 8, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Brought back from IL Reds manager David Bell said Sims (elbow) will be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Sunday's game against the Pirates, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact Cincinnati will announce a corresponding transaction shortly before Sunday's 1:10 p.m. ET first pitch. After being sidelined since late June with a right elbow sprain, Sims checked out fine during a five-outing rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville, giving up two earned runs on six hits and three walks across 4.2 innings. Prior to getting shut down with the injury, Sims had factored into the Reds' closing mix, but it's unclear if he'll immediately be thrust back into high-leverage spots out of the bullpen as he returns from the IL.

AUGUST 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Closing in on activation Manager David Bell said Friday that Sims (elbow) could be activated from the 10-day injured list as soon as Sunday against the Pirates, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer...

Impact Sims has been on the shelf since late June with an elbow sprain. The right-hander began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on July 27, and he most recently pitched on consecutive days Wednesday and Thursday. So long as he comes out of his latest outing feeling good, he figures to be reinstated as soon as the series finale against Pittsburgh.

AUGUST 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Back-to-back outings Sims (elbow) is scheduled to pitch the second of back-to-back days on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, and if all goes well he could be officially back wi...

Impact The Reds are starting to get reinforcements back from the injured list. Michael Lorenzen just return from his hamstring injury last weekend and converted a save Wednesday, and Sims could be a part of that closing picture again when he returns.

AUGUST 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing before Tuesday's game Sims (elbow) was playing catch at Great American Ballpark before Tuesday's game against the Twins after making a couple of appearances on a rehab assignment, Bobby Nightengale of T...

Impact Reds manager David Bell was vague about a potential return date for Sims, along with teammates Nick Senzel and Mike Moustakas. "They're all progressing well, which is the most important thing," Bell said. "But no timetable. I think it's important to keep it that way and we'll come in one of these days and they'll either be here or on their way. But still kind of on track to get at least a couple of those guys back within the next week, for sure." If you want to read the tea leaves, Moustakas and Senzel remained with Louisville as they began a road trip, whereas Sims stayed close by, perhaps suggesting an earlier return.

AUGUST 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

C. Trent Rosecrans: Lucas Sims is starting a rehab assignment... - The Athletic Lucas Sims is starting a rehab assignment tonight in Louisville, but it won't be a short stint with the Bats. Reds manager David Bell said S...

JULY 27, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

First rehab outing coming Tuesday Sims (elbow) will make his first rehab appearance for Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Sims is ready to begin the final phase of his recovery process from the right elbow sprain that has kept him on the shelf for the past month. He'll likely need to make at least two appearances at Louisville before rejoining the Reds, but once activated, Sims should factor into the late-inning mix for the big club. Before the injury cropped up, Sims registered seven saves in nine chances on the season, but he'll likely be behind Heath Hembree in the bullpen pecking order upon returning.

JULY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Beginning rehab next week Sims (elbow) will join Triple-A Louisville for a rehab assignment next week, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact An elbow sprain sent Sims to the injured list June 24, before which he posted a 5.02 ERA and 44:15 K:BB in 28.2 innings of relief. The righty had settled into a closing role prior to the injury, though he may yield such responsibilities to Tejay Antone (forearm) once the latter ultimately returns from the injured list. It's unclear how much rehab work Sims will require, but an activation around the start of August still appears realistic.

JULY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Won't return before August Sims (elbow) isn't expected to return before August, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Sims has been out with a sprained elbow since late June. The injury was originally expected to cost him three or four weeks, but it now looks likely to keep him out for closer to six. He reportedly hasn't suffered a setback, however, so it's possible the initial timeline was simply overly optimistic.

JULY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Out until late July Sims (elbow) is expected to return from the injured list in late July, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact The right-hander was expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks after landing on the injured list with an elbow sprain June 24, and it appears he'll be out through the end of that initial timeline and perhaps a bit longer. It's unclear if Sims has resumed throwing since landing on the shelf.

JULY 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sims (elbow) to IL in latest blow to 'pen The Reds placed reliever Lucas Sims on the 10-day injured list on Thursday (retroactive to Wednesday) with a right elbow sprain, just two da...

JUNE 24, 2021 • MLB.COM

Cincinnati Reds reliever Lucas Sims discusses his elbow injury Reds reliever Lucas Sims was placed on the 10-day IL on Thursday with a right elbow sprain.

JUNE 24, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

Out 3-to-4 weeks Sims' elbow sprain is expected to keep him out for 3-to-4 weeks, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact The news certainly could have been a lot worse for the Reds, as this is Sims' second elbow issue of the year. He battled an elbow problem over the offseason and didn't appear in a Cactus League game until nearly the end of spring training. The given timeline means he'll return just after the All-Star break at the earliest and potentially not until late July. Sims had been the leading member of the Reds' closer committee, so other members of that committee such as Tejay Antone and Amir Garrett should see more opportunities in the ninth inning until he returns.

JUNE 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Out with elbow sprain Sims was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a sprained right elbow.

Impact Elbow issues are always worrisome for any pitcher, and they're especially worrisome for Sims, as he dealt with elbow troubles throughout the offseason and most of spring training. After a slow start to the season, he'd begun to settle down, allowing just one run over a stretch of 11 appearances while posting an 18:4 K:BB, but he was lit up for three runs while failing to record a single out Tuesday against the Twins. He leads the Reds in saves with seven, though the team has stuck with a committee approach, so fellow committee members Tejay Antone and Amir Garrett should pick up most of the slack going forward.

JUNE 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notches four-out save Sims allowed a hit and struck out four over 1.1 innings to earn the save in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Milwaukee.

Impact Pitching for the third time in four days, Sims was able to lock down his seventh save of the year with little trouble. The 27-year-old has a 4.23 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 43:14 K:BB across 27.2 innings this season. He remains the favorite for save chances, but Amir Garrett could get a ninth-inning assignment soon given Sims' heavy workload recently.

JUNE 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Collects fourth win Sims (4-1) walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to pick up the win in a 2-1 extra-innings victory over the Brewers.

Impact The Reds finally broke a 0-0 tie in the top of the 10th inning, making Sims the pitcher of record. The right-hander is locked in right now, racking up five saves in six chances in addition to Tuesday's win over his last nine appearances with a 0.93 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB through 9.2 innings.

JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notches sixth save Sims notched his sixth save of the season Sunday against the Cardinals after tossing a scoreless inning, allowing two hits and fanning two.

Impact Sims has been quite busy of late but has been very effective, notching five saves over his last six outings and not allowing a single earned run during that stretch. The right-hander, who owns a 4.70 ERA on the season, has gone 6-for-7 in save chances this year.

JUNE 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Notches fourth save Sims allowed two hits and a walk over two scoreless innings to earn the save in the win over the Cardinals on Thursday.

Impact Sims entered the eighth inning with a two-run lead, and he was able to shut the door on St. Louis to secure the win despite allowing the tying runner to reach base during the ninth inning. This was the 27-year-old's first multi-inning save of the season. Cincinnati's closer situation is complicated, as there has only been 11 saves to go around so far this season between five Reds relievers. Sims leads the team with just four saves in five save chances.

JUNE 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Earns save No. 3 Sims struck out one batter in a scoreless inning against the Nationals on Thursday en route to his third save of the season.

Impact After Sonny Gray went six scoreless, Sims took the ball and completed the shutout on 11 pitches (this was a seven-inning contest played following the conclusion of Wednesday's suspended game). Sims has endured some bumps in the road this season and sits with a 6.00 ERA, but with saves in back-to-back appearances, he appears to be the 1a option at closer for the Reds. Tejay Antone recently described his role as "mid-game closer," per the Cincinnati Enquirer.

MAY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE