GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Nick Lodolo’s final Cactus League tuneup before the Reds break camp in Arizona lasted 10 pitches after the left-hander exited his start against the Guardians on Sunday due to a blister on his left index finger.
In the first inning, Lodolo threw a 1-0 changeup for a strike to Guardians third baseman José Ramírez. He appeared uncomfortable, which prompted a visit by a trainer and manager Terry Francona. After a brief conversation, Lodolo exited the game.
Lodolo has dealt with left index blister issues previously in his career. In 2024, he went on the injured list due to one on June 25 and was activated on July 9. This past season, he went on the IL with the same issue on Aug. 5 and was activated on Aug. 27.
The severity of Sunday’s injury was not immediately clear, but Lodolo’s early exit obviously was the last thing the Reds wanted to see during his start. The 28-year-old is on tap to start Cincinnati’s second game of the regular season on Saturday against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
If the blister issue delays Lodolo out of the gate, the Reds have some options with their rotation configuration. They were set to open the season with six starting pitchers on their 26-man roster, in Opening Day starter Andrew Abbott, Lodolo, Brady Singer, No. 4 prospect Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns and Brandon Williamson.
Cincinnati’s plan was not a six-man rotation, but Lowder, Burns and Williamson were slated for a tandem situation in which they would pitch every five days and not out of the bullpen. Lodolo missing time would change the calculus.
Singer is set to start Monday in the Reds’ exhibition game against the Brewers at American Family Field. He is supposed to make his first regular-season start Sunday against Boston. The 29-year-old left his start vs. the Rockies on Wednesday due to a blister on his right index finger, but he caught it before it broke.