The Cincinnati Reds got an update on injured left-hander Nick Lodolo.
The Cincinnati Reds have put together one of the strongest starts in baseball despite missing their two best starting pitchers. Both Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo have been sidelined since Opening Day, yet Cincinnati entered Sunday with a 20-13 record. The rotation has held together, but the club obviously wants its top arms back as soon as possible.
Greene is still months away after undergoing right elbow surgery, but Lodolo’s return has finally arrived. “Nick Lodolo (blister) expected to be activated from IL to start Friday at home,” reported Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Lodolo has been working his way back from a recurring blister on his left index finger, an issue that first surfaced during his final Spring Training start and forced him onto the 15-day injured list to open the season. His first rehab outing with Single-A Daytona in early April was cut short after just 40 pitches when the blister flared up again, pausing his return timeline.
But Lodolo resumed a second rehab assignment in late April and finally turned a corner. He delivered two successful outings, first with High-A Dayton, where he threw 51 pitches over five scoreless innings, and then with Triple-A Louisville, where he tossed 79 pitches across 4 1/3 innings while mixing in his slider effectively.
That last part is what is most important. The way Lodolo grips his slider is what causes the blister issues, and the Reds needed to see him throw it comfortably before clearing him.
The timing of his return is also important after Cincinnati also lost Brandon Williamson to the 15-day injured list. Williamson has struggled this year, but he has tossed 28 innings, which is a large number to replace. Lodolo’s activation will hopefully help with his absence.
Last season was the best of Lodolo’s career. He posted a 3.33 ERA with 156 strikeouts in 156 2/3 innings and made 28 starts, all career highs, playing a huge role in the Reds return to the postseason. It was the first time Cincinnati saw him fully healthy and able to handle a full workload. Lodolo lived up to the potential the organization always believed he had when he was selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
If Lodolo’s blister holds up, the Reds will finally have one of their best left-handed arms back as they continue their push toward another playoff run in 2026.