Reds just watched Nick Lodolo's trade value disappear at the worst possible time

In case you missed it, Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo left Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs in the top of the sixth inning with a blister on his left index finger. The southpaw has a long (and unfortunate) history with these types of injuries.

Though the upcoming MLB All-Star break will give Lodolo an extended respite, history would suggest the Reds' lefty is headed to the injured list. Rhett Lowder, who was recently moved to the bullpen, can easily slide right back into the starting rotation if needed. But any trade value Lodolo may have possesed just evaporated with the August 3 deadline less than a month away.

Nick Lodolo's blister may have changed the Reds trade deadline plans

The Reds are currently sitting in the NL Central basement and they look more and more like sellers with each passing day. While Cincinnati's front office has yet to fully commit to a trade deadline strategy, Nick Krall and Co. would have to see a dramatic turnaround over the next two weeks in order to change their plans.

Lodolo could have been one the Reds' best trade chips this summer. Though the left-hander has a complicated injury history, starters tend to be highly coveted at the trade deadline, and Lodolo's extra year of team control would've made him even more attractive to pitching-starved teams.

But any notion of trading Lodolo can now be cast aside. No organization in its right mind is going to give up anything of value for an injury-prone pitcher. Lodolo already missed about a month earlier this season due to a blister issue, and spent time on the IL in both 2024 and 2025 with the same type of injury.

Lodolo's likely stint on the IL could become an even bigger problem if Chase Burns is forced to miss time or is shut down due to an innings-restriction. The Reds' fireballer will not participate in the All-Star Game because of lingering groin tightness, and he's quickly approaching a career-high in innings pitched.

The Reds have right-handers Chase Petty, Julian Aguiar, and Jose Franco waiting in the wings at Triple-A Louisville in the event that reinforcements are needed after the All-Star break.

Though it's likely that Lodolo will eventually return at some point later this season, the organization can no longer depend on him to remain healthy for a full season. Lodolo's 156⅔ innings pitched last season was a career, and he's likely to fall well short of that mark in 2026.

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