Nick Lodolo dealt devastating setback that will have Reds fans completely fed up

The Cincinnati Reds were hoping Nick Lodolo's time on the injured list would be relatively short and were planning for the left-hander to return to the active roster sometime next week against the Miami Marlins. Those plans may have to be adjusted, however, after Lodolo left his first rehab assignment with an apparent blister on his left hand.

Ironically enough, it was a blister that sidelined Lodolo to begin the season. He suffered a blister on his left index finger during his final Cactus League start in March and was left off the Reds Opening Day roster as a result.

Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo exits rehab start & won't return on time

Lodolo was sent to the Reds' High-A affiliate in Daytona for a rehab start on Thursday. The plan was for him to make one appearance for the Daytona Tortugas and then return to the rotation next week.

Lodolo looked sharp through 2⅔ innings of work, mowing down every single batter he faced without allowing a hit. He struck out four batters and didn't even allow a walk. But he was lifted after just 40 pitches before recording the final out of the third inning and multiple media outlets are reporting it was a blister on that same finger that forced him out of the game.

Whether his early-exit was a product of the initial injury or a new blister formed on his finger is unknown, and quite frankly, irrelevant. At this point, blisters have become a chronic issue for the Reds left-hander, and may very well define his entire professional career. Lodolo saw time on the IL in both 2024 and 2025 for the same issue, and despite his attempts to alleviate the concern, he has no plans to change the pitch grip that's causing the problem.

“With the way I throw my slider, it’s something that comes with it. At the same time, I’m not going to change it. That pitch makes me myself," Lodolo told Cincinnati reporter Charlie Goldsmith during spring training.

The Reds will now be in wait-and-see mode as Lodolo's future is uncertain. At the moment, the Cincinnati rotation is down two of its best starters — Lodolo and Hunter Greene. Until Lodolo returns, Reds fans should expect to Brandon Williamson, Chase Burns, and Rhett Lowder to remain in the rotation alongside Andrew Abbott and Brady Singer.