MIAMI ‒ Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo played catch Monday for the first time since a setback with his finger blister during a rehab start April 2.
He had no apparent issues during a light throwing session, but the clock is ticking on how long it’ll take him to get back in a rehab game, which could determine how much he’ll have to be built back up before being ready to return from the injured list.
Advertisement
Lodolo threw 10 pitches in his final Cactus League start March 22, then didn’t pitch in a game again until the 40-pitch rehab start last week.
Will he need just one more start? Two? Can the Reds get him up to, say, 60 pitches and activate him for an abbreviated season debut?
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo (40), shown pitching in a Cactus League game Feb. 25, recently played catch for the first time since dealing with a blister on his finger.
“Depends how long (the latest process takes),” manager Terry Francona said. “We need to use some common sense, which isn’t always the easiest thing to do.”
Neither Francona nor pitching coach Derek Johnson seemed to think Lodolo would need a lengthy rehab stretch, since he was nearly fully built up for the season until that March 22 start. That could change quickly if the blister on his index finger prevents a quick return to the mound.
Advertisement
The training staff is treating the blister aggressively, presumably with various topicals ‒ and also what Francona called “gadgets.”
Meanwhile, the Reds rode a pitching staff missing three key components on the IL to a 3.25 ERA that has been the backbone to a 6-3 start to the season despite entering the Miami series tied for last in the league in scoring. That team ERA ranked fifth in MLB entering the week.
1 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke’bryan Hayes (3) plays a ground ball off the bat of Jake Mangum in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
1 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke’bryan Hayes (3) plays a ground ball off the bat of Jake Mangum in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
2 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
3 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
4 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott (41) circles back to the mound after giving up a three-run home run to Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (15) in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
5 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Marcell Ozuna (24) walks through the dugout after scoring on a center fielder Oneil Cruz (15) home run in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
6 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Livvy Dunne cheers on Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) from the suite level in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
7 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Livvy Dunne cheers on Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) from the suite level in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
8 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) throws a pitch in the first inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
9 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) catches a line drive off the bat of Nate Lowe in the second inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
10 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jared Triolo (19) catches a pop up off the bat of Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke’bryan Hayes (3) in the third inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
11 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) leaps to bring down from first baseman Sal Stewart before completing a double play in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
12 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (9) tags out Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Yorke (38) to complete a double play in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
13 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Rain clouds form over the stadium in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
14 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds designate hitter Nate Lowe (31) smiles from second after hitting an RBI double in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
15 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds left fielder Will Benson (30) grimaces as he flies out in the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
16 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) returns to the dugout after the fourth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
17 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft (23) throws a pitch in the seventh inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
18 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Eugenio Suárez (28) walks though the dugout in the seventh inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
19 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds designated hitter Eugenio Suárez (28) walks though the dugout in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
20 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tony Santillan (64) throws a pitch in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
21 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) runs for first base as he grounds out in the eighth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
22 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán (15) throws a pitch in the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
23 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
A bouncing ball hits Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) in the chest pad in the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
24 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán (15) paces after giving up a two-run home run to Bryan Reynolds in the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
25 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Bryan Reynolds (10) celebrates a two-run home run in the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
26 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona (77) looks on from the dugout in the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
27 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Ke’bryan Hayes (3) plays a ground ball off the bat of Marcell Ozuna in the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
28 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán (15) returns to the dugout after the top of the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
29 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Injured Cincinnati Reds first base coach Collin Cowgill (54) watches from the dugout in the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
30 / 30
See game photos from the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Gregory Soto (31) and catcher Henry Davis (32) celebrate a win after the ninth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The Reds lost 8-3.
A rotation missing its two best veteran pitchers (Lodolo and Hunter Greene) contributed a 3.42 ERA to that overall performance.
Greene, Ferguson injury updates
Greene hits the four-week mark this week since his surgery to remove bone chips and will start throwing weighted Plyo Balls against a wall by the end of the week. It’s the start of a long process that would return him from the IL sometime in July, barring a setback.
Left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson (oblique) has progressed enough in his throwing program that he’s scheduled for his first bullpen session in the progression late this week. If that goes well, a timeline for a rehab assignment starts to crystallize.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds baseball talks timeline for Nick Lodolo’s return