Familiar (and frustrating) problem could doom Reds Opening Day roster plans

The Cincinnati Reds are in wait-and-see mode after Nick Lodolo exited the final Cactus League game of the spring with a blister on his left index finger. Lodolo was lifted during the first inning on Sunday after throwing just 10 pitches and his status for Opening Day is now up in the air.

This is nothing new for the Reds left-hander, and that's what makes it so frustrating. Lodolo missed three weeks last August with a blister on his left hand, and was sidelined during the middle of the 2024 season with a similar issue.

The Reds are already slated to begin the upcoming season without Hunter Greene. The flamethrower had arthroscopic elbow surgery earlier this spring and isn't expected to return to the active roster until sometime in July. With Lodolo potentially missing time, Cincinnati's pitching depth will be tested from the outset of 2026 campaign.

Reds Opening Day roster plans could change drastically

The Reds planned to enter the 2026 season using a quasi six-man rotation. Lodolo, Andrew Abbott, and Brady Singer are scheduled to pitch during the team's opening series against the Boston Red Sox, with Chase Burns, Brandon Williamson, and Rhett Lowder all seeing the field during the first two games of the following series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

But Lodolo's injury could force Cincinnati's coaching staff to rethink things a bit. The Reds may now have to switch to a typical five-man rotation, or at the very least, push Lodolo's start back until the team's series against the Pirates.

Lodolo has been plagued by durability questions throughout his Major League career. In addition to the constant blister issues, Lodolo has battled groin and back injuries in the past. Left calf tenosynovitis crippled his 2023 season — one that saw him start just seven games.

If the blister issue forces Lodolo onto the injured list — and the Reds want to employ the six-man rotation — it can be assumed that one of Chase Petty or Julian Aguiar would replace him. If, however, Cincinnati returns to a traditional five-man rotation, the Reds are likely to add Zach Maxwell back to the Opening Day roster in order to beef up the bullpen.