Red Sox Still Deciding If Lucas Sims Can Return This Year
Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Lucas Sims (lat), who has been inconsistent since joining the Red Sox last month, was shut down on Aug. 27 with a right-lat strain. Manager Alex Cora said the team will have a better idea if the righty will return this year in around 10 days. "He's moving, he's working out and all that stuff," said Cora. "Obviously it bothers him when he reaches out. Hopefully [we'll] re-evaluate in 10 days and see where we're at." The 30-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. Since the Red Sox acquired him from the Cincinnati Reds at the trade deadline, he has allowed nine runs while walking seven and striking out seven in 10 innings of work. In 54 relief outings in 2024, Sims is 1-6 with a bloated 4.57 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP, one save and a 47:27 K:BB in 45 1/3 innings. Sims hasn't ben on the fantasy radar at all.
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims is being traded to the Boston Red Sox, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Sims has logged 35 innings of relief in Cincinnati this season with a 3.57 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and a 20:40 BB:K ratio with one save. The right-hander has typically operated in a set-up role, pitching in the eighth inning. Under the hood, he holds a 26.0% K rate and 34.4% hard-hit rate, which are both above average among qualified pitchers. Current Boston closer Kenley Jansen, has struggled across his last five appearances with a 9.00 ERA and 2.17 WHIP, which could open the door for Sims to earn an occasional save opportunity.
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Lucas Sims picked up his first save of the season in Monday's 3-1 win over the Cardinals. Sims came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two and delivered a 1-2-3 outing with a strikeout. Closer Alexis Diaz had pitched the last two days, so Sims got the call to close things out. The 30-year-old has had a middling season, going 1-1 with seven holds as well as a 4.15 ERA, a 9.87 K/9 rate, and a 5.19 BB/9 rate in 17 1/3 IP. He has only seen two save opportunities all season, so his fantasy value is very low except in deeper saves-plus-holds leagues at this time.
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.
