Reds lefty Nick Lodolo left tonight’s rehab start with Low-A Daytona in the third inning due to more blister issues on his left index finger, relays Manny Randhawa of MLB.com. Lodolo cruised through the first eight hitters with four strikeouts before coming out of the game.
It’s an all too familiar problem for the former seventh overall pick. Lodolo developed his most recent blister in his final start of Spring Training, leading to a season-opening injured list stint. It’s the third straight season in which blisters have shelved him. He missed most of August last year and a couple weeks between June and July in 2024.
The index finger has bothered him off and on dating back to his time in the minor leagues. He has also had major league injured list stints with back, calf and groin injuries — plus a sprain of his middle finger that ended his ’24 season. He’s a mid-rotation starter when healthy and coming off a career season. Lodolo tossed 156 2/3 innings of 3.33 ERA ball while striking out 24% of opponents a year ago.
This flareup should be a minor problem, but it’s no doubt frustrating for player and team alike. The hope had been for Lodolo to get through 60-65 pitches tonight and only need one rehab start before rejoining the MLB rotation next week. That’s probably not happening now. He left after 40 pitches and it’s unclear whether he’ll need a brief rest period before giving it another go in a game.
Brandon Williamson has stepped into the rotation behind Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, Rhett Lowder and Chase Burns. Lodolo’s injury led the Reds to promote rookie righty Jose Franco as a long reliever. After tonight’s off day, Cincinnati has 10 consecutive game days.
The Reds haven’t made any changes to their 13-man position player group since Opening Day. Their infield of Sal Stewart, Matt McLain, Elly De La Cruz and Ke’Bryan Hayes has been set in stone, as has Eugenio Suárez as the primary designated hitter. Manager Terry Francona has played more matchups around the outfield, where no one has been locked into an everyday position.
TJ Friedl has been in the lineup regularly, but he’s not quite as settled as a full-time center fielder as he was last season. The Reds have kicked Friedl over to left field on five occasions, including his first start in left since 2023. Francona said this week he has liked what he’s seen from Friedl as a left fielder (via Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now). The 30-year-old’s fringy speed and arm strength probably fit better in left than in center all things considered.
Dane Myers is a better runner with a stronger arm. He’s probably the best defensive center fielder on the roster. Playing Friedl more often in left would open opportunities to draw Myers into the lineup, though that’d be a leap of faith in his bat. Myers is already a lock to play against left-handed pitching, against whom he’s a .294/.356/.449 hitter in his career.
Myers has just a .220/.266/.296 line against right-handers. His only start of the season came against Boston lefty Connelly Early over the weekend. The rest of his appearances have come as a late-game substitute with Friedl sliding to left field.
They’ve had a three-man rotation through the corner spots between Spencer Steer, Will Benson and Noelvi Marte. Steer has been the primary starter in left. He’s out to a slow start this season after hitting at a league average level in each of the past two years. Benson and Marte are splitting time in right field, though the Reds probably won’t use a strict platoon that limits the 24-year-old Marte to work against left-handed pitching.
I wish they could bring Hinds up, idk who he would replace though.
Not sure if Hinds is Aristides Aquino or George Foster, both seem possible to me.
Only one way to find out.
Hinds has 5 walks in 6 minor league games
or George Jefferson
Outstanding comment. It took Foster 3 or 4 years to really find himself and get an opportunity. Would love to see that from the talented Hinds.
More than likely Benson/Marte. It is obvious Benson is a sunk cost and Marte needs a AAA wake up call since nothing else seems to be working.
Too early to call Marte a bust necessarily, even though they switched positions because of bad defense at third, but he needs to get it in gear because Rodriguez is waiting on the wings.
Noelvi Marte needs regular ABs to get it going. He’s shown from time to time that true potential but the drawback is his bouts of ineffectiveness. At 24, the Reds should have him start most games in RF, Will Benson isn’t the answer, and truly see what they have in him. It’s April and they should be doing that now, IMO!
And Tito does not read the stats that say Marte hits RH a lot better either. I do know Marte has defensive issues. His attitude has been known to be up/down. Not sure if that’s a factor. Steer is only nothin danger due to his position flexibility.
Agreed that Noelvi Marte’s defense is not solid. Francona is definitely the driving force behind it all. Francona might be forcing Marte to get better against lefties by facing them ONLY, his weaker side for a righty hitter. IDK, just a thought. Francona is a solid manager so he must have a method to his madness, so to speak.
Terry always has a method to his madness, even if we can’t see it.
Marte who is 0-9 as of yesterday. Plus he’s not an OFer. 3B convert.
Obviously it’s very early, but this team is already shaping up to be a dumpster fire. Mclain and Benson can’t hit (it’s been 2 years) Francona seems to be down on Marte. Steer has been ice cold. Greene is out for months and Lodolo can’t get healthy. They have an overpaid sub-par closer. If not for the one bright spot of Sal Stewart, they would probably be 0-6 instead of 3-3.
Sadly agree
What’s really sad is that division rivals seem to have no issue locking their up and coming young superstars with extensions, yet EDLC will have none of it from the Reds.
Baseball Reference today has the Reds ranked #1 in All Piching,#2 in SP, & #1 in RP. They also hav comitted 0 errors. Not exactly “dumpster fire” stuff. I once heard pitching + defense wins championships.
Lodolo should consider doing the same thing Moises Alou did to toughen up his hands.
The blister issue is long term and the remedy is probably long term as well. Nick belongs on the ML roster- not doing rehab starts at Daytona. Lodolo should be the Reds “piggy-back” or 6th starter and should pitch a structured 30-40 pitches and be removed before the blister develops. Slowly work his way back to 3-4 inning stints. pitching until the blister developes is futile.
Or he could just do what Moises Alou did.
That would piss some people off, but urine luck if he can stay healthy for a whole season.
IMO, I would play Myers regularly until he proves he can’t. He seems much steadier than Benson and Marte. I probably would actually send Marte down to let him play more regularly and work it out.
Hayes is a total zero with the bat and I don’t care how good the glove is. 3B is a position that demands some pop and a box of Rice Krispies has more pop than Hayes. Even in his home park he’s someone who won’t hit double digit HR.
Yep. Seems like a nice park to hit in and he’s really no different than he was in Pittsburgh. Can’t pay 7m a year for a black hole.
awwwh maaan! that’s just racist, homie!
I think they could handle having Suarez playing 3B. Lowe as the DH vs RH. The amount of plays he makes does not make up for doing nothing with the bat. But then you could say that about Stephenson. Steer.
KeBryan Hayes has made solid contact (without results). He has yet to strike out. That’s not a zero, but unfortunate.
Not good outlook for the Reds this year and they may easily find themselves at the bottom of the division very soon.
I like Nick Lodolo but I think the pitching staff should help help him come up a better grip on the baseball so that his blister problems can go away.
Centerfielder is one word … and I will die on this hill.