What a week for the Cincinnati Reds, eh?

They got trounced by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the series opener at PNC Park last Friday only to wake up Saturday, walk seven batters in a row, and allow 17 runs in a loss. They wrapped up getting swept in that three-game series on Sunday only to head to Chicago and get walked-off in three straight games to begin that series.

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In the process, they lost closer Emilio Pagan to a hamstring injury that’ll keep him out for up to two months. Brandon Williamson’s shoulder issue turned out to be significant enough that he was moved to the 60-day IL. Then, on Thursday, Rhett Lowder exited early from his start after feeling ‘clicking’ in his right shoulder, and the Reds wrapped that game with a loss to secure a winless seven-game road trip.

Woof!

Friday, finally, brings a bit of welcome good news. The Reds officially got Nick Lodolo back off the injured list after clearing all his blister hurdles, and he’ll make his first start of the year in Great American Ball Park against the Houston Astros on Friday evening.

Jose Franco was optioned to AAA to make way for Lodolo, the Reds announced.

Getting Lodolo back is obviously welcome news on any level. The 28 year old had a career year (so far) in 2025, logging 156.2 IP of 3.33 ERA, 3.81 FIP ball while posting a career-best 5.03 K/BB. Baseball Reference valued that work at 4.7 bWAR, and that’s the kind of pitcher that can almost singlehandedly turn around a pitching staff – something the Reds desperately need right now as they battle through this cascade of injuries.

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If there’s another silver lining here, it’s that Lowder – who was set for an MRI today – was not the arm that was optioned to make way for Lodolo. Fingers crossed that’s an indication that whatever he’s dealing with is minor enough, since anything significant would’ve likely meant he’d be heading to the IL immediately, too.

(Or they’re just waiting for a second opinion before dropping that awful news on us – we shall see.)

Anyway, Nick is back, that’s a good thing, and here’s how the Reds will line up for tonight’s series opener back home: