​The Cincinnati Reds’ rotation took another hit when Nick Lodolo departed Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs in the sixth inning due to a blister on his left index finger, a lingering issue that has plagued him throughout the season. The injury first surfaced on March 22, just three days before the season began, and Lodolo would not return to the mound until May 8 when he faced the Houston Astros. His return outing, however, did not meet expectations: in 5.1 innings, he yielded five hits and four earned runs while recording only two strikeouts.
Looking ahead, Reds manager Terry Francona is expected to insert Rhett Lowder into Lodolo’s spot in the rotation, a move that follows Lowder’s previous stint in a relief role. This adjustment also clears a path for right-hander Chase Petty to rejoin the major-league roster after a stint in Triple-A Louisville. “I think he’ll take the same spot. We’ll reserve the right [to adjust] and we’ll see how today goes,” Francona told MLB.com. “But he should just slot in.”
Before re-aggravating the injury on Saturday, Lodolo had gone 3-2 with 50 strikeouts and a 4.60 ERA on the season. He delivered what was perhaps his best performance of the year on May 25 in Cincinnati’s 7-2 win over the New York Mets, striking out seven while issuing no walks and giving up just one earned run. He also logged another solid outing last Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles, recording four strikeouts with only two free passes, a performance that helped the Reds avert a three-game sweep with a 3-2 victory.
Now, Lodolo and Francona are contending with a plan to minimize further setbacks once the left-hander returns. “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. That said, you really have 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.”
As for Lowder, the goal is to build on a promising outing this past Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies, when he allowed only three hits and fanned two over two innings of work. That performance provided hope that he can stabilize the rotation as Lodolo works through this setback and eventually returns to action in a manner designed to protect his long-term health and effectiveness.