Yosver Zulueta could be in line for a surprise return to the majors following Nick Lodolo’s injury against the Cubs.
Zulueta hasn’t appeared on a big league mound since May 4, and asking the young right-hander to rejoin a Cincinnati Reds squad deep in the heart of a playoff chase might seem like a tall order. However, over the past two months, he’s quietly become one of the most dominant arms in the Reds’ minor league system—and given the current state of the team’s pitching staff, he could be their best option.
Nick Lodolo, who was in the midst of arguably the best season of his career, was forced to exit Monday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs with a recurring blister on his index finger—the same issue that sidelined him last season. After throwing a first-pitch strike to Justin Turner in the second inning, Lodolo signaled to the dugout for medical attention and was promptly removed. All signs now point to another trip to the injured list.
With a taxed bullpen and Lodolo’s rotation spot likely opening up, the Reds can’t afford to sit back and hope for a quick recovery. Nick Martinez, who pitched 2⅓ innings in relief after Lodolo’s exit, is expected to rejoin the starting rotation this week, leaving another gap in the bullpen.
And that bullpen is running on fumes. Brent Suter was unavailable Monday after a heavy outing in the Speedway Classic. Scott Barlow, who tossed two scoreless innings against the Cubs, will likely be unavailable Tuesday. Tony Santillan currently leads the majors in appearances (56), with Emilio Pagán not far behind at 49. The need for fresh arms is urgent.
Enter Yosver Zulueta.
After making two brief MLB appearances earlier this year, the 26-year-old has been lights-out in Triple-A Louisville. Overall, he holds a 2-1 record with a 3.86 ERA and 52 strikeouts across 42 innings. But it’s his recent form that has turned heads: since June 1, Zulueta has surrendered just four runs on six hits over 24 innings, striking out 32. While his 9.3% walk rate is higher than ideal, that’s been the lone blemish on an otherwise dominant stretch.
Of course, the Reds have a few other options as well. Connor Phillips and Lyon Richardson are potential call-ups. Ian Gibaut, currently on a rehab assignment, could be reinstated sooner than expected if the Reds are impressed with his recent performance. Additionally, with Sam Moll and Luis Mey both having minor-league options, Cincinnati could execute multiple roster moves to replenish the bullpen depth.
Regardless of who gets the call, one thing is clear: the Reds’ playoff hopes may hinge on how well they navigate this latest pitching crisis—and Zulueta may soon find himself back in the spotlight.
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