The Reds announced Tuesday that they’ve placed lefty Nick Lodolo on the 15-day injured list due to a blister on his left index finger and recalled righty Yosver Zulueta in his place. If Zulueta gets into a game, he’ll be making his MLB debut. Francys Romero first reported early this morning that Zulueta was being called up for his debut.
The 26-year-old Lodolo’s IL placement is retroactive to yesterday. He lasted just 4 2/3 innings in that start and issued four walks in his shakiest start in over a month. While injuries like blisters and cracked fingernails can seem minor on the surface, they can often make it difficult for a pitcher to properly grip his pitches, depending on their placement. A blister on the fingertip of the index finger would make it particularly difficult for Lodolo to execute his curveball, which he’s thrown at a 28% clip this season. He’ll let the issue cool down for the next couple weeks in hopes of a quick return.
Lodolo has been the Reds’ most effective starter this season, pitching to a 2.96 ERA in 70 innings. He’s fanned 25.1% of his opponents against a sharp 6.5% walk rate. This will be his third IL placement of the season, having previously missed time due to minor groin and calf injuries. He’s also spent time on the 60-day injured list in each of the past two seasons, owing to back and calf injuries.
With Lodolo shelved for what’ll presumably be a relatively brief stay on the IL, the Reds’ rotation will be down to Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Frankie Montas and Carson Spiers. Right-hander Graham Ashcraft, who was optioned to Triple-A earlier this month, has tossed consecutive quality starts since being sent down and yielded a total of four runs in 12 innings with a 12-to-2 K/BB ratio. He could be in the mix to come back to the big league roster in short order and step into Lodolo’s vacated rotation spot, but for the time being the Reds will add Zulueta to give their bullpen an extra arm.
Zulueta, 26, has pitched in 23 games this season and logged 30 2/3 innings of 2.93 ERA ball with a strong 28.3% strikeout rate and elite 60.5% ground-ball rate — but also an ugly 14.5% walk rate. The right-hander came to the Reds via an Opening Day waiver claim after he’d been designated for assignment. In parts of three seasons at the Triple-A level between the two organizations, the Cuban-born righty has a 3.71 ERA, 26.2% strikeout rate and 15.4% walk rate.
The beat goes on.
Have to like the ground ball rate in that ballpark but the walk rate in the same ballpark concerning. Probably why he was still in the minors at 26.
No one understands how much blisters affect certain pitches, so they really had no choice in Lodolo’s case.
All in all, more dumpster dive fodder going back to depth issues that should have been addressed already.
Hope his blister issue doesn’t become a continuing thing
And with the promotion of Yosver Zulueta, the world has officially run out of ideas for names.
How many times does this need to be explained to this Reds fan and his depth issue. They have already had depth going into the season with Williamson and Phillips. Martinez is also depth to start. He’s better than what they used last year in Weaver and Lively. The depth was planned. No one was going to sign to be possible depth and just hang out in the minors.
So 2 guys who showed they could pitch up here plus Martinez. Turns out they also had more depth in Spiers who also has shown more than Lively and Weaver did last year.
But turns out they actually have even more depth with Ashcroft too. But you’re talking about dive fodder about this reliever who’s not going to start. Ashcraft is. You do know that. Not this guy. He’s like Cruz was a few years ago. Great stuff but wild. I’m sure if he succeeds no credit will be given by you for a smart waiver claim.
If there wasn’t an innings limit Lodolo would still be pitching through this but limiting his breaking ball.
100 % correct Coy. He has to be making these comments just to aggravate people with a basic understanding of fairness.
Total agree on Reds depth and their pitching has been a particular strong point partly because of it.
But I don’t dismiss Ben Lively. Am more surprised Reds parted with him than I am that he has been a decent starter for a great Cleveland team this season.
Congratulations to Nick Lodolo for only having a finger blister and not needing UCL surgery.