CHICAGO – The Cincinnati Reds are choosing caution over risk with left-hander Nick Lodolo, opting not to have him pitch through a blister on his left index finger as the season enters its final stretch with fewer than 50 games remaining.
Lodolo exited his August 4 start early—after just 1 2/3 innings—due to the blister, which appeared suddenly during a breaking ball to Cubs slugger Justin Turner. On August 5, the team officially placed Lodolo on the 15-day injured list, a move that had been anticipated.
To fill the vacant roster spot, the Reds recalled reliever Yosver Zulueta from Triple-A Louisville. Meanwhile, Nick Martinez, who threw 2 1/3 innings in relief following Lodolo’s departure, is expected to step into the rotation in Lodolo’s place. His likely next outing would come on August 9 in Pittsburgh.
While losing Lodolo is a blow—he’s been one of the team’s most dependable starters this season—the Reds’ recent trade deadline move offers some relief. They bolstered their pitching depth by acquiring Zack Littell from the Tampa Bay Rays, and Littell was lined up to start against the Cubs on August 5.
This marks Lodolo’s first stint on the IL in 2025, although he did deal with a similar blister issue that sidelined him for two weeks in 2024.
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