The Cincinnati Reds faced another setback in their pitching staff as they announced left-hander Nick Lodolo would be placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left middle finger sprain. Along with Lodolo, Hunter Greene (right elbow soreness) and Andrew Abbott (left shoulder strain) are also sidelined on the 15-day IL, leaving the Reds struggling in the wild-card race.
Adding to their woes, outfielder Stuart Fairchild was also put on the 10-day IL for a left thumb sprain. To fill the vacant spots, the Reds called up outfielder Rece Hinds and right-hander Casey Legumina from Triple-A Louisville. Meanwhile, left-hander Brandon Williamson is beginning a rehab assignment with Louisville as he recovers from a shoulder strain.
Lodolo, the No. 7 pick in the 2019 draft, has had a challenging season due to various injuries since his MLB debut in 2022. His performance has faltered since returning from a finger blister, posting a 1-3 record with a 7.95 ERA in nine starts after coming off the IL on July 9. This recent injury marks Lodolo’s fourth stint on the IL this season.
Reds’ manager David Bell mentioned that Lodolo might require a splint for a couple of weeks, with the possibility of an extended absence. In the interim, the team plans to utilize their bullpen to cover the gaps in the rotation, with Nick Martinez and Carson Spiers transitioning from relievers to starters, alongside rookie Julian Aguiar.
Thus, the Reds are facing significant pitching challenges due to injuries, forcing them to adapt their strategies to stay competitive in the league.
