Reds react to Nick Lodolo's injury with noteworthy Opening Day decision

During his final start of spring training, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo suffered a blister on his left index finger and will be left off this year's Opening Day roster as a result.

The Reds were aleady dealing with the fallout from Hunter Greene's arthroscopic elbow surgery, and with Lodolo now shelved for the first two weeks of the 2026 season, Cincinnati will be down two starters.

In order to help balance out the pitching staff, the Reds recalled right-hander Jose Franco from Triple-A Louisville and added him to the Opening Day roster. The rookie made some noise in the minor leagues last season and earned a spot on the 40-man roster over the winter.

Reds place Nick Lodolo on the IL, add Jose Franco to the Opening Day roster

Franco made three Cactus League appearances earlier this spring, including two starts. He covered 4⅔ innings, struck out eight batters, and walked just one. At 6-foot-2, 257 pounds, he has an imposing presence on the mound, and plus-fastball to back it up.

Franco split time last season between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville. He made 31 appearances, including 26 starts, and posted a 3.11 ERA and a 25.2% strikeout rate. His 11.5% walk rate is obviously higher than you'd like to see, but he was very efficient this spring and only issued one free pass.

As for Lodolo, his IL placement is backdated to March 23, meaning he can return to the Reds active roster as early as Tuesday, April 7 against the Miami Marlins. The Reds set their rotation with Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, and Rhett Lowder opening the season against the Boston Red Sox.

Chase Burns and Brandon Williamson will start the first two games of the following series against the Pittsburgh Pirates before handing the reins back over to Abbott. If that rotation holds — and Lodolo only misses the 15-day minimum — he'll return after just two turns through.

While this latest injury setback is frustrating — both for Lodolo and the fanbase — it simply requires time to heal. Cincinnati's abundance of starting pitching should help them to weather to storm, but Reds fans are hoping this is the last surprise they have to endure before the season gets underway on Thursday.