Reds finally activate Nick Lodolo but quietly weakened bullpen depth

Nick Lodolo is set to make his long awaited return to the Cincinnati Reds rotation ahead of Friday's series opener against the Houston Astros. The left-hander had been sidelined since the beginning of the 2026 season after suffering a blister on his left index finger during his final spring training start back in March.

Lodolo's activation came with a subtraction, as the Reds optioned relief pitcher Jose Franco back to Triple-A Louisville. The rookie has made eight appearances this season, and while his 4.30 ERA isn't impressive, the right-hander fills a valuable role for the Reds bullpen.

Reds activate Nick Lodolo, but lose Jose Franco

Franco has acted as the Reds' long reliever out of the bullpen this season. He was a surprising addition to the team's Opening Day roster, and has given Reds manager Terry Francona as much as three innings of relief during a game the season. He appeared three times during the Reds' recent road trip to Pittsburgh and Chicago, logging four innings of work while striking out three batters.

It's assumed that Franco will be part of the Louisville Bats starting rotation once he returns to the Derby City this week. He's already started two games for the Bats this season and has a 25.7% strikeout rate.

Those number haven't translated to the big leagues, however, and walks have been a problem for the Reds' young hurler. He's allowed 11 free passes over 14⅔ major-league innings while striking out a dozen. The 17.9% strikeout rate combined with a 16.4% walk rate were never going to be good enough to keep him on the active roster.

But with Franco gone, the Reds have a good-sized hole to fill in the bullpen. Most of Cincinnati's relievers work only one inning, something that could be put to the test with Lodolo returning from injury on Friday night.

Lodolo is battling his way back from a blister issue that has caused him problems in each of the past three seasons. The left-hander has tried every means imaginable to lessen the issue, but to no avail. The hope throughout Reds Country is that he's finally put the issue to rest, and can return to be the top-of-the-rotation arm fans know he can be.

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