Reds could face a tough (but logical) Nick Lodolo decision moving forward

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo suffered a blister on his left index finger during spring training that kept him off the Opening Day roster. The plan was for him to endure a brief stay on injured list and return to the active roster for the team's series against the Miami Marlins. Unfortunately, Lodolo suffered a setback and the plan going forward has become rather muddled.

Lodolo's blister issues have become chronic, and no matter what he does to help mitigate the problem — and he's done almost everything imaginable — it hasn't helped. If this is going to be a constant impediment, the Reds may be compelled to make a tough (but logical) decision. Is it time to move Lodolo to the bullpen.

Nick Lodolo's injury history could force him into the Reds bullpen

While pushing Lodolo into a relief role is far from an ideal solution, his injury history has forced the Reds into a corner. He cannot be counted on, and teams would much rather have an injury-prone reliever than an injury-plagued starter.

This latest bout with the injury marks the third straight season that Lodolo has landed on the IL with a blister. His absence, much like it did in 2024 and 2025, has caused a ripple effect that forced Cincinnati's coaching staff to reshuffle the starting rotation.

The Reds were supposed to begin the season with six starting pitchers on the roster, but Lodolo's placement on the IL forced Terry Francona to approach the season with a traditional five-man rotation.

Cincinnati's pitching depth has been tested early, and though Brandon Williamson labored during his first start of the season, he rebounded nicely during on Monday against the Marlins. Both Chase Burns and Rhett Lowder have proven up to the task and the Reds are 4-0 in their four starts this season.

In theory, reducing the amount of pitches Lodolo throws — both in games and during practice — would help him to better manage his battle with blisters. Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson recently lamented the inability to manipulate Lodolo's workload due to the nature of being a starting pitcher. But certain situations could be avoided if Lodolo was tabbed as a reliever.

There's no shortage of former Reds starters who turned into successful relievers. The most recent examples include Raisel Iglesias, Graham Ashcraft, and Michael Lorenzen. While Lodolo would likely object to the idea of moving to the 'pen, it might be the best way to prolong his Major League career.

If moving Lodolo to the bullpen fails to solve the injury problem, at least the Reds would only be losing a reliever, not a starter. Finding a capable arm to fill in for an inning or two every two or three days is much easier than replacing a pitcher who takes the mound every fifth day ready to go six-plus.