Lodolo (blister) expects to be without limits for season debut Friday
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CHICAGO – Nick Lodolo feels good to go, finally.
After meeting the club in Chicago following Saturday's rehab assignment start for Triple-A Louisville, the left-handed starting pitcher and the Reds are hopeful that the problematic blister issue on his left index finger has been remedied enough to enable him to start Friday against the Astros.
“I’m really excited. I’ve just been kind of sitting here, trying to truck along slowly. I’m excited to get back in, get out there and compete and just be a part of it with the boys," said Lodolo, who has been on the 15-day injured list since a blister ended his March 22 final Spring Training tuneup.
Lodolo threw 79 pitches (45 strikes) for Louisville at Omaha and mixed in approximately "16 or 17" sliders, the pitch that causes the friction on the pad of his index finger. He expects to throw more when facing big league hitters.
“I’m not going to be up here with a limit," said Lodolo, who also had a rehab start with High-A Dayton before moving up to Louisville.
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As for the process required to heal the blister, which also resurfaced April 2 during a rehab start with Single-A Daytona, Lodolo wanted to say little because it's still ongoing. Manager Terry Francona noted over the weekend that it involved a contraption that does something to the pores of the finger.
“I don’t even know the name of it or anything. If it works and everything, I’m going to keep going. I’ll fill you in and let you know," Lodolo said. “There’s a whole story behind it, but I’m not going to get into that yet.”
Getting Lodolo back into the rotation should be a boost for Cincinnati, which has been without him and Hunter Greene (bone chips removed from right elbow) so far this season. A third starter, Brandon Williamson, went on the IL Thursday with left shoulder fatigue. No. 7 prospect Chase Petty was recalled Monday to take Williamson's vacant spot against the Cubs.
The 2025 season was a big one for Lodolo, who was 9-8 with a 3.33 ERA in 29 games as he set career highs in starts (28), innings (156 2/3) and strikeouts (156). The only reason his numbers weren't even higher was that he missed three weeks on the IL with another blister on the same left index finger.