As the Cincinnati Reds weigh external improvements to the bullpen before the July 30 trade deadline, they have one of their top relievers nearing a return.
Lucas Sims, sidelined since June 24 with a sprained right elbow, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.
“It’s been going well,” Sims said. “More than anything, just learning to be patient. I’m itching to get back. Going through the process and make sure it’s right, but it’s feeling great. I can’t wait to get back.”
Sims pitched through some soreness in his elbow throughout June, but he was placed on the injured list when it affected his availability and his performance. He allowed three hits to the three batters he faced in his last outing on June 22.
“Patience,” he said. “Just testing my patience. If it’s not right, you can’t really rush it. It’s not going to do anything. It’s just really been testing my patience. More than anything is just wanting to be back there and that’s definitely been the biggest hurdle.”
