Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona had an injury update on left-hander Nick Lodolo.
The Cincinnati Reds dropped their weekend series finale to the Detroit Tigers at home, but even with the loss, they have still been playing great baseball, currently at 18-10 and in first place in the NL Central.
What makes that start even more impressive is that they have done it without one of their most important pitchers. Left-hander Nick Lodolo has yet to appear in a game this season, spending every day on the injured list after a left index-finger blister flared up just before Opening Day.
On Sunday, the Reds finally received encouraging news regarding his progress. “Update from Terry Francona postgame on Nick Lodolo. Said he ‘threw the ball really well’ in his rehab outing. Good report. 5 innings. 51 pitches. Also threw a bullpen after to get more work,” reported Jeremy Rauch of FOX19.
This update came after Lodolo officially began his second rehab assignment on Sunday in Single-A Daytona. His first attempt earlier in April was cut short when the blister resurfaced, the same issue that has bothered him for multiple seasons.
Lodolo has also spent time on the injured list in both 2024 and 2025, making this stretch especially frustrating. The blister stems from the grip he uses on his slider, his best pitch, and it is not something he can simply stop throwing. Despite his best efforts, Lodolo has not been able to limit the damage.
Still, the latest outing was a major step forward. Lodolo allowed just two hits and struck out seven batters across five scoreless innings, showing the dominant form that made him one of the breakout players of 2025. Francona’s postgame comments only reinforced the optimism surrounding his progress.
Lodolo was a huge reason the Reds returned to the postseason last year. Across 29 appearances, he posted a career-best 3.33 ERA with 156 strikeouts in 156 2/3 innings, including two complete games and one shutout. When healthy, he is one of the most effective left-handed starters in the National League.
The Reds pitching staff has held up well without him, but there is no question they need Lodolo back to reach their full potential. Now 28 years of age and in his fifth MLB season, all with Cincinnati, he remains a central piece of the organization’s long-term plans.
If Lodolo continues progressing without setbacks, the Reds could soon regain one of their most valuable arms at a time when they are already playing like a contender.