When Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder appeared in the Great American Ball Park home clubhouse May 24, his discomfort was visible.

Chicago Cubs (31-20, first in the NL Central) vs. Cincinnati Reds (25-27, third in the NL Central) Cincinnati; Saturday, 3:10 p.m. CDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Colin Rea (3-0, 2.38 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 32 strikeouts);

Suffice it to say that wasn't how the Cincinnati Reds wanted to start a stretch of six games against the Chicago Cubs between now and June 1.

A big setback for Reds prospect Rhett Lowder during his rehab assignment could put the starting pitcher out for an even longer period of time. Lowder was diagnosed with a left oblique strain after he exited his rehab start for Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

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Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz made history on Friday night against the Chicago Cubs. With his single in the first inning on Friday, De La Cruz became the fastest player in Major League Baseball history to record 300 hits,

Friday marked the beginning of a stretch where the Reds play the National League Central-leading Cubs in six of the next nine games. Call it their first big test of this season, a chance to see where they stand against one of baseball's best offenses.

Hoerner recorded the first hit off Greene in the third with a softly hit double to left, but Greene retired the next batter and struck out Ian Happ to end the inning. Greene averaged 100 mph on his 48 four-seam fastballs and looked sharp until the two walks in the fourth.

The New York Yankees' rotation has been solid as they navigate through injuries, but the Cincinnati Reds have a pitcher who could fill the gaps.

Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two home runs, including a grand slam to highlight a six-run seventh inning, and Seiya Suzuki went 3-for-5 with a home run, double and three RBIs as the visiting Chicago Cubs rallied from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the Cincinnati Reds,

After a day off on Thursday, the Reds announced a flurry of roster moves ahead of Friday's showdown against their National League Central rival, the Chicago Cubs. Hunter Greene was activated from the 15-day injured list.