Lodolo lands on IL after leaving Saturday's game with lingering blister issue

CINCINNATI -- In a move that was expected after he left Saturday's game vs. the Cubs due to a left index finger blister, Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday.

Pitcher Chase Petty was recalled from Triple-A Louisville to replace Lodolo on the active roster. Petty provides Cincinnati with an extra bullpen arm.

As for Lodolo's spot in the rotation, Rhett Lowder will move back from the bullpen to be a starter. It's likely that Lowder will start in the second game after the All-Star break on July 18 at Colorado.

“I think he’ll take the same spot. We’ll reserve the right [to adjust] and we’ll see how today goes," manager Terry Francona said. "But he should just slot in.”

Lodolo exited in the sixth inning of Saturday's 5-3 loss after giving up a game-tying home run to Casey Kelly. He said he noticed something while warming up before the inning started, but didn't see anything on his finger until after the homer.

This is the second time in 2026 that a blister has derailed Lodolo's season. One developed on the same finger on March 22 and put him on the IL until he made his season debut on May 8. He was also on the IL for a blister in 2024 and 2025, and missed time in the Minors with the issue in 2021.

Lodolo, 28, is 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA in 12 starts this season.

A larger issue befuddling Lodolo and the Reds is how to prevent blisters from continuing when the left-hander throws his best pitch -- the breaking ball. He suggested Saturday that changing grips for the pitch was an option on the table but the club will also be cautious.

“I think we'll all talk and throw out ideas and things like that," Francona said. "Nick even mentioned it last night talking to him. Saying that, you really got to think it through. Because for me to sit here in my chair and say, ‘Well, just move your finger over to the side.’

"The kid’s been pitching like this his whole life. I agree the blister is not good. If you hurt your shoulder [changing grips], there’s got to be some pulling back on the reins a little bit and not jumping in until you know something can really help.”