Reds respond to Nick Lodolo injury with move fans didn’t see coming

As expected, the Cincinnati Reds were forced to shelve starting pitcher Nick Lodolo for the next two weeks while he recovers from a blister on his left index finger. Lodolo exited during the second inning of Monday's win over the Chicago Cubs, and has been placed on the 15-day IL.

The Reds will turn to Yosver Zulueta. The right-hander hasn't been on the Reds' major-league roster since early-May, but has put up fantastic numbers down in the minors. The Reds will need as much help as they can get with their bullpen running on empty.

Scott Barlow logged two innings on Monday and is likely unavailable for tonight's game at Wrigley Field. Fellow relievers Emilio Pagán and Tony Santillan have been overused of late as well. Though Zulueta hasn't been around in a few months, he owns a 29.4% strikeout rate and 3.86 ERA in the minors this season. He's also gone more than one inning 10 times in the past two months.

Reds place Nick Lodolo on the 15-day IL, activate Yosver Zulueta

It's expected that Nick Martinez, who came on in relief of Lodolo on Monday, will reclaim his spot in the Reds rotation. If Hunter Greene, as expected, returns sometime in the next week, the Reds may then choose to move either Martinez or Chase Burns into the bullpen for the remainder of the 2025 season.

Thankfully, the Reds added former Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littlell at last week's MLB trade deadline. The newest member of the Cincinnati rotation will make his Reds debut on Tuesday as Terry Francona's club looks to lock up the series against the Cubs.

Cincinnati overcame a 2-1 deficit on Monday night thanks to an RBI double off the bat of Elly De La Cruz in the sixth inning and a go-head single courtesy of TJ Frield in the seventh. The Reds are trying to chase down the Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, but the more realistic path to the postseason might be the final spot in the NL Wild Card chase.

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