Reds practically finalize 2026 Opening Day roster but fans are left frustrated

The Cincinnati Reds all but finalized the Opening Day roster ahead of Thursday's game, but there was one lingering question that was haunting the fanbase all week — will Nick Lodolo be part of it? Fans finally have their answer.

Unfortunately, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Lodolo will open the 2026 season on the injured list. This was the fanbase's overarching fear after seeing Lodolo exit his his final Cactus League start with a blister on his left index finger.

Lodolo has dealt with blister issues in the past. He missed parts of the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to a similar ailment, and his latest bout will set him back a few weeks at the outset of the 2026 season. As a result, the Reds will surely add a reliever to the Opening Day roster and place Lodolo on the 15-day IL.

Nick Lodolo left off Reds Opening Day roster

With both Lodolo and Hunter Greene sidelined to begin the 2026 season, the Reds will begin the year with Andrew Abbott as the team's Opening Day starter. The left-hander is coming off an All-Star campaign in 2025 and will be looking to add to his already impressive résumé.

Brady Singer, who was slated to start Sunday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox, will now start Saturday's game on normal rest. Singer pitched in an exhibition game on Monday evening in Milwaukee and will have four days off before toeing the rubber against Boston this weekend. According to Wittenmyer, Rhett Lowder will close out the opening series against the Red Sox on Sunday.

The Reds will then send fireballer Chase Burns to the mound for next Monday's series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He'll be followed by Brandon Williamson who'll be making his first appearance in the big leagues since 2024.

This is hardly the way the Reds planned to open the season, but the reality is that both Lodolo and Greene have struggled with durability concerns in the past. Greene is expected to miss the first several months of the 2026 season, but it's assumed Lodolo's absence will be much shorter.

The earliest the left-hander can return to the active roster will be Cincinnati's home opener against the Los Angeles Angels on April 10. The Reds are no doubt hoping Lodolo will only miss the 15-day minimum.