Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims (back) and starting pitcher Justin Dunn (shoulder), who both missed time with injuries in 2022, have been throwing and should be ready for spring training. Meanwhile, reliever Tejay Antone's (forearm) throwing program has been slowed this offseason by a forearm issue, but it's unrelated to his elbow issue that required Tommy John surgery in 2021. He'll be eased in as camp opens. When healthy, Sims and Antone figure to be important high-leverage arms in Cincy's bullpen in front of expected closer Alexis Diaz. Dunn started seven games for the Reds in 2022 but had an unsavory 6.10 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with only 21 strikeouts in 31 innings pitched.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that closer Lucas Sims (back) has a "bulging disc" in his back. "He started some light exercises today, core strengthening. I can't tell you how long. From all of my experience, I still don't have a prediction on that. I haven't heard anyone talk about it being long term," Bell said. Sims was placed on the injured list on Thursday with what was initially announced as lower back spasms. The bulging disc is worse, but it remains to be seen what kind of timeline the 28-year-old right-hander will have. Sims started the year on the IL with an elbow issue and has only one win and a 9.45 ERA in 6 2/3 innings for a bad Reds team. Chasing saves among Art Warren, Alexis Diaz and Jeff Hoffman probably won't give fantasy managers much of a reward.

The Cincinnati Reds placed closer Lucas Sims (back) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with lower back spasms. The move is retroactive to May 11. In corresponding moves, the team selected the contract of right-hander Robert Dugger from Triple-A Louisville, recalled right-hander Jared Solomon from Louisville and optioned right-hander Dauri Moreta to Louisville. This will be the second trip to the IL for Sims, who opened the season on the shelf with an elbow issue. Sims hasn't been very good when healthy over 6 2/3 innings, picking up one save while allowing seven earned runs and walking six. There isn't a ton of fantasy value in chasing saves for one of the worst teams in baseball, but if you're desperate, Art Warren, Alexis Diaz and Jeff Hoffman are likely to share save chances until Sims is ready to return.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims earned his first save of the year on Sunday as he closed out the team's 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. He retired all three batters he faced in the ninth inning, needing just 11 pitches to get through the inning. Sims spent the first two weeks of the season on the injured list, before being activated on Friday. He made his first appearance on Saturday in a non-save situation. He struggled in the outing, giving up two earned runs in an inning. Tony Santillan and Art Warren, who have a save each this year, were used in the seventh and eighth innings of Sunday's game. There's a chance their windows for saves has closed for now. Sims was the frontrunner for saves in Cincinnati prior to his injury and it looks like he could be back in the driver's seat. Make sure he's added in all formats.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims (elbow) was activated from the injured list on Friday and Ryan Hendrix has been optioned to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Sims landed on the injured list to begin the regular season with a right elbow issue, but he should return to a prominent role in Cincy's bullpen immediately. The 27-year-old allowed one run while walking one and striking out five in four innings over four minor league rehab appearances before his activation. Sims could eventually become the favorite for saves with the Reds, but he could initially be eased into a committee approach to the ninth inning alongside Tony Santillan, Art Warren and Hunter Strickland.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims (elbow) could return to the big league bullpen by Friday. It appears that the plan is for Sims to make at least two more rehab outings in Triple-A. After that, the Reds are hopeful Sims can return for their homestand against the St. Louis Cardinals. The 27-year-old should be an important part of the Reds bullpen this season. He should be in the mix for saves and high leverage situations as soon as he returns to the big league roster.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims (elbow) could be activated in time for the team's next homestand, according to manager David Bell. The 27-year-old will have a few more outings in the minors before rejoining the big league club. He has been slowed down a bit by elbow soreness, but should have a significant role in the bullpen once he's fully healthy. He should return to a high-leverage role in the Reds bullpen later this month.

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Lucas Sims (back) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville next week. He threw a bullpen session on Friday and continues to ramp up his activity as he works his way back from an illness and back spasms. The 27-year-old converted 7-of-10 saves while posting a 4.40 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts over 47 innings in 2021. Sim is expected to be the Reds' primary closer when he returns, which could be as soon as this upcoming weekend. Tony Santillan has recorded Cincinnati's only saves opportunity and could handle ninth-inning duties while Sims is sidelined. Art Warren could also be in the mix for save chances. Fantasy managers searching for saves should add Santillan as he was given the first shot to handle closing duties.

Cincinnati Reds right-handers Luis Castillo (shoulder) and Lucas Sims (elbow) threw bullpen sessions on Saturday, according to Bobby Nightengale. The duo will begin the season on the 10-day injured list but shouldn't miss much time, expected to be ready by late April at the latest. Castillo is looking to keep his momentum going after pitching well post-All-Star break last season (3.18 second-half ERA) and overall produced a 3.98 ERA with a 23.9 K% and 1.36 WHIP over 187.2 IP. The 29-year-old is going around pick 105 and can offer fantasy managers good numbers all around. Sims, on the other hand, was expected to start the season as the primary closer even after a shaky 2021 when he posted a 4.40 ERA. Look for Art Warren to get the majority of the save situations while Sims is on the shelf.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Lucas Sims (back) suffered from an illness and back spasms in the offseason that prevented him from ramping up his throwing program ahead of camp, and he will open the regular season on the injured list. Sims has started throwing off a mound in camp, but there are no plans to rush him for Opening Day, especially since he missed 39 games last year with an elbow injury. "Lucas is such a big part of our bullpen, we just have to have him healthy all the way. We can't do anything to risk that," manager David Bell said. The 27-year-old was the favorite to open the year as the Reds closer, but Cincinnati will likely open with a committee approach to the ninth inning now that could feature Art Warren, Hunter Strickland, Luis Cessa, Justin Wilson and Jeff Hoffman.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that closer Lucas Sims is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. He's not injured, but he has less time to prepare for the season due to a shortened spring training. Sims had "hiccups" in his buildup to camp but is healthy now and is throwing bullpens. The 27-year-old right-hander was projected to enter the 2022 season as the Reds closer, but it looks like that won't be happening now. He had the first seven saves of his career last year while sporting a 4.40 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 76 strikeouts (career-high 14.6 K/9) in 47 relief innings. For however long Sims is out, the Reds could go with somewhat of a committee approach to the ninth inning with arms like Luis Cessa, Art Warren and Justin Wilson.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims (elbow) was activated from the injured list on Sunday. The Reds placed fellow relief pitcher Brad Brach on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement to make room on the active roster. Sims has pitched to a 5.02 ERA, a 3.45 FIP, 44 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 28.2 innings this season. He's also collected seven saves. The Reds haven't always had a set closer this season, as four different relief pitchers have at least three saves. All that being said, Sims is someone fantasy managers should keep an eye on if they need saves or holds as he's been much better than his ERA would indicate.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that there's a "good chance" that relief pitcher Lucas Sims (elbow) is activated from the injured list on Sunday, according to Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Sims has been out since late June with a right elbow strain, and prior to that he had been one of the better options for saves in the Reds' bullpen this season, going 4-1 with seven saves, a 5.02 ERA, 1.326 WHIP and 34.9 percent strikeout rate over 28 2/3 innings of work. The Reds have turned to Heath Hembree and Michael Lorenzen for closer duties right now, and it's likely that Sims will really only be an option in SV/HLD formats going forward.

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims (elbow) made two straight relief appearances at Triple-A on Wednesday and Thursday and is nearing a return to the majors. Reds manager David Bell told reporters that Sims could be back with the Reds this weekend. Sims has pitched a total of 4.2 innings at Triple-A during this current rehab stint and has struggled to the tune of a 3.86 ERA and 1.93 WHIP while recording four strikeouts. He's had an uneven year in the majors. Over 28 relief appearances, he has gone 4-1 with a 5.02 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP and a 34.9% strikeout rate. He is tied for second on the Reds in saves with seven and could work his way back into the closing mix yet again upon his return.