Nick Lodolo’s Latest Blister Setback Puts Reds’ Rotation in Limbo Amid Injured List Concerns

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo left his rehab assignment with a familiar foe in tow: a blister on his left index finger. The lefty’s exit in the third inning of Tuesday’s Low-A Daytona start—after fanning four of the first eight batters—marked the latest setback for a pitcher whose career has been repeatedly derailed by the same stubborn ailment. For the third consecutive season, finger blisters have sidelined Lodolo, reigniting questions about the durability of a mid-rotation starter who was coming off a career-best 2024 campaign. With the Reds’ rotation already reshaped by attrition and roster shuffling, Lodolo’s latest injury adds another layer of uncertainty to a team fighting to stay competitive in the National League Central.

The Curse of the Blister: Lodolo’s Injury History and Its Grip on His Career

Nick Lodolo’s battle with blisters traces back to his time in the minor leagues, but the issue has metastasized into a chronic concern during his MLB tenure. The former seventh overall pick in the 2020 draft—selected by the Reds out of Vanderbilt—has now missed significant time in three straight seasons due to the condition. His most recent blister flared up during his final Spring Training start in March, forcing him to begin the 2025 season on the injured list. Before that, he missed most of August 2024 with a similar issue, and in 2023, blisters limited him to just 13 starts (42.2 innings) after he posted a 3.61 ERA in 25 starts the year prior.

A Breakdown of Lodolo’s Past Injuries: From Fingers to Fingers to Fingers

Lodolo’s finger problems are not isolated to blisters. His MLB injured list stints include a back injury in 2022, a calf strain in 2023, and a groin issue in 2024. Last season, a sprain of his middle finger—a separate but related issue—cut short his campaign in late August, capping a frustrating year in which he still managed to log 156.2 innings with a 3.33 ERA and a 24% strikeout rate. Those numbers underscore his potential: when healthy, Lodolo profiles as a reliable mid-rotation arm, capable of striking out over a quarter of opposing hitters. But the recurring blisters, which began plaguing him as early as his minor league days, have turned what should be a strength—his plus changeup and mid-90s fastball command—into a liability for both player and franchise.

The Reds’ Rotation Crisis: How Lodolo’s Absence Reshapes Cincinnati’s Plans

The Reds entered 2025 with cautious optimism about Lodolo’s health, hoping he could build on his 2024 production and stabilize a rotation that has been a revolving door of injuries and call-ups. However, Tuesday’s rehab setback derailed those plans. Lodolo was slated to pitch 60-65 pitches in the Daytona start, a workload designed to prepare him for a return to the MLB rotation as early as next week. Instead, he threw just 40 pitches before exiting, leaving his timeline in flux. The uncertainty has forced Cincinnati’s front office to adapt, with rookie righty Jose Franco promoted to long relief to bridge the gap in the rotation. Behind Lodolo in the pecking order are Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, Rhett Lowder, and Chase Burns, with Brandon Williamson filling in temporarily. The Reds, who have 10 consecutive game days after tonight’s off day, are navigating a delicate balance between patience and urgency.

Outfield Shuffle: How Friedl, Myers, and Others Are Filling the Gaps

While Lodolo’s absence dominates the pitching conversation, the Reds’ outfield situation has also seen subtle but meaningful shifts. TJ Friedl, Cincinnati’s primary center fielder in 2024, has been deployed more frequently in left field this season, a move that reflects both managerial flexibility and positional necessity. Manager Terry Francona, speaking to Fox 19’s Charlie Goldsmith this week, praised Friedl’s performance in left, noting that his ‘fringy speed and arm strength’ may be better suited for the corner than center field. Friedl, 30, has started five games in left this year, including his first appearance in the position since 2023. His bat has been solid, though his defensive metrics remain a work in progress.

Dane Myers: The Defensive Ace Waiting for an Offensive Leap

At the center of the Reds’ outfield mix is Dane Myers, the team’s best defensive outfielder with a cannon for an arm and elite speed. Myers has flashed his tools in limited action, including a .294/.356/.449 slash line against left-handed pitching in his career, which makes him a near-lock in matchups against southpaws. However, his bat has struggled against right-handers, where he owns a .220/.266/.296 line. Myers has started just one game this season—against Boston lefty Connelly Early—and has otherwise been used as a late-game defensive replacement, with Friedl sliding to left field. The Reds’ reluctance to deploy Myers full-time against righties reflects both his offensive limitations and their desire to maximize his defensive value.

The Corner Outfield Conundrum: Steer, Benson, and Marte’s Uneven Starts

Cincinnati’s corner outfield—left and right—has been a rotating carousel of talent and inconsistency. Spencer Steer, the presumed everyday left fielder, has started the season slowly after posting league-average offensive numbers in 2023 and 2024. Will Benson and Noelvi Marte have split time in right field, though the Reds have avoided a strict platoon system that would limit Marte, 24, to left-handed pitching. Marte’s power potential (.283 ISO in the minors) makes him too valuable to bench entirely, even if his defense and plate discipline remain works in progress. For now, the Reds appear content with a fluid approach, prioritizing matchups and defensive flexibility over rigid positional assignments.

The Broader Implications: How Injuries Are Reshaping the Reds’ 2025 Season

The Reds entered 2025 with modest expectations after a 76-86 record in 2024, but their early-season challenges have magnified the importance of roster depth. Lodolo’s latest setback is not just a personnel issue—it’s a microcosm of the franchise’s broader struggles with player availability. The team has already cycled through multiple rotation options in the first month, and their outfield, while talented, lacks a clear everyday answer at every position. With the trade deadline nearly four months away, Cincinnati’s front office may need to weigh whether to address these gaps via internal promotion, minor league trades, or even a calculated splash in free agency. For a team that has leaned heavily on homegrown talent, the current injuries underscore the fragility of relying on a thin bench and unproven arms.

What’s Next for Lodolo and the Reds?

For Lodolo, the path forward is uncertain. The blister on his left index finger is not a career-threatening issue, but its recurrence has forced the Reds to proceed with caution. Manager Terry Francona has indicated that Lodolo will need to rest before attempting another rehab start, meaning his return to the MLB rotation could be delayed by at least another week. In the interim, Cincinnati will rely on its depth—Frankie Montas, already on the 60-day injured list, could return in May if his rehab progresses—as well as the rotation’s current quartet of Abbott, Singer, Lowder, and Burns. The outfield situation, meanwhile, may see further experimentation, with Myers’ bat dictating whether he earns more starts against righties and Friedl potentially sliding back to center if necessary.

• Nick Lodolo’s blister flare-up marks his third straight season dealing with the same injury, raising concerns about his durability as a mid-rotation starter.
• The Reds’ rotation has been reshaped by injuries, with Lodolo’s absence forcing the promotion of rookie Jose Franco and reliance on a patchwork staff.
• Cincinnati’s outfield is in flux, with TJ Friedl shifting to left field and Dane Myers waiting for an offensive opportunity against right-handed pitching.
• The team’s early-season challenges highlight the risks of relying on unproven talent and the importance of roster depth in a competitive NL Central.

Manager Francona’s Balancing Act: Navigating Lineup and Rotation Uncertainty

Terry Francona, entering his third season as Reds manager, has become accustomed to navigating roster uncertainty. His approach this year has emphasized flexibility—whether in outfield alignments, rotation order, or late-game substitutions. Speaking to the media earlier this week, Francona acknowledged Friedl’s defensive growth in left field while stressing that ‘nothing is set in stone’ regarding the outfield. His willingness to deploy Myers against lefties and bat Steer atop the lineup reflects a pragmatic mindset, but it also underscores the challenges of optimizing a lineup without a true everyday center fielder or corner outfield stalwart.

“TJ’s done a good job. I like what I’ve seen from him in left field. His arm is better suited there, and his range is fine. But we’re not locking anything down. We’re still trying to figure out what works best for the team.”

The Road Ahead: Can Cincinnati Weather the Storm?

The Reds’ 2025 season is only a month old, but the early returns suggest a team fighting against its own roster limitations. Lodolo’s latest setback is a reminder that even the most promising young pitchers are not immune to the grind of MLB injuries. For Cincinnati, the question is whether they can cobble together enough production from their rotation and outfield to stay competitive in a division where the Cardinals and Brewers loom large. The farm system, while deep, has yet to yield a clear long-term answer at every position. In the coming weeks, the Reds may need to make tough decisions about promotions, trades, or even a rare midseason acquisition to address their gaps. For now, Francona and his staff are left to manage the chaos—one roster move and one rehab start at a time.