The Cincinnati Reds are looking to make another trip to the MLB playoffs in 2026, and with the team’s offensive inconsistencies from last year, they will once again hope to lean on their pitching staff.
Unfortunately, the starting rotation already took a massive hit late in spring training, as right‑handed ace Hunter Greene is expected to be out until likely July after undergoing a right elbow procedure to remove bone spurs and loose bodies.
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As a result, the Reds will have to rely on their other arms to step up at the top, including left‑hander Nick Lodolo.
Lodolo is preparing for his fifth season in Cincinnati since being selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft, and he has emerged as one of the best southpaws in MLB.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo (40)© Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
(© Katie Stratman-Imagn Images)
Lodolo turned in the best year of his four‑season career in 2025. The 28‑year‑old finally stayed relatively healthy and posted a 3.33 ERA across 29 appearances, including 156 strikeouts in 156 2/3 innings of work. He reached the level the organization had long expected from him.
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However, Lodolo did miss time last year with blister issues on his left index finger, a recurring problem that has surfaced multiple times in his career.
Lodolo was set to make his final spring training start on Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians. He allowed two runs and recorded zero outs before leaving the game with trainers looking at his left hand, immediately raising concern.
Moments later, the injury was confirmed on the broadcast to be another blister flare‑up, per an announcement from the Reds.
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“Nick Lodolo leaves start for Reds after just two batters (BB, HR) because of a finger blister. It was his last spring start before scheduled season debut Saturday,” reported Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
This is a disappointing development for the Reds, who now may be without two of their top arms to begin the year. Cincinnati is using a six‑man rotation to open the season, but losing Lodolo would drop them to five and increase the pressure on the back end of the staff, including Chase Burns, Rhett Lowder and Brandon Williamson.
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With Greene already sidelined, the Reds cannot afford Lodolo’s blister issues to linger as they try to stabilize the rotation early in the season.
Related: Dodgers Announce Unexpected News at Spring Training
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.