Reds News: Nick Lodolo IL stint, top int'l prospect released, hometown pitcher drafted

The Cincinnati Reds will be without one of their top starting pitchers once they emerge from the All-Star break. Left-hander Nick Lodolo was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday morning after suffering yet another blister on his left index finger during Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs. The Reds recalled Chase Petty to take his spot on the active roster.

This is the second time this season — and at least the fourth time in his career — that Lodolo has been sidelined with blister issues. Reds fans have obviously become exceedingly frustrated with the lefty's inability to stay off the IL; a sentiment shared by Lodolo himself.

Reds News: Nick Lodolo is as frustrated as fans after latest IL stint

"Frustration's extremely high," Lodolo said after exiting Saturday's games against the Cubs. "You know, we keep trying new things. I really thought what we were doing now, I was going to be in the clear, but obviously not. I got to keep trying to figure it out. Whether it's something to do, or changing grip, or something (else). But yeah, frustration is really high."

With Lodolo on the IL, the Reds will turn to Rhett Lowder as his replacement in the starting rotation. The right-hander was recently moved to the bullpen to accommodate Hunter Greene's return, but will now be pushed back into the rotation after the All-Star break.

Reds News: Former international signee Ariel Almonte released

Ariel Almonte — one of the Reds' top International signings in 2021 — was recently released after failing to live up to his lofty projections. He never made it past High-A and posted a meager .152/.241/.323 slash line this season.

Almonte was inked to a signing bonus of nearly $2 million five years ago, but the Dominican outfielder never made an impact once he came stateside. Altogether, he appeared in 425 minor-league games with the Reds and only managed a collective .675 OPS.

Reds News: Moeller High School grad Matt Ponatoski drafted

Cincinnati high school product Matt Ponatoski was selected by his hometown Reds with the 542nd pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Ponatoski is a left-handed pitcher and was named Gatorade's Ohio Player of the Year in both baseball and football in 2024-25.

Ponatoski is committed to play baseball (pitcher) and football (quarterback) for the University of Kentucky next fall, so it's possible that he may shun the Reds' efforts to sign him in order to honor his commitment to the Wildcats. Signability was always a question, which is why he fell in the draft.

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