The Reds introduced that left-hander Nick Lodolo has been positioned on the 15-day injured listing, retroactive to August 24, resulting from a left center finger sprain. Proper-hander Casey Legumina was recalled in a corresponding transfer.
Thus far, the Reds haven’t offered any details about how lengthy Lodolo is predicted to be out, however it’s a irritating improvement nonetheless. This would be the lefty’s fourth IL stint of the season, as he has already made separate journeys there resulting from left calf tenosynovitis, a left groin pressure and a left finger blister.
This newest IL journey, whether or not it proves to be vital or delicate, provides to a prolonged damage drawback for each participant and crew. Lodolo additionally missed most of final yr resulting from varied issues in his left leg, solely making seven begins on the marketing campaign. He had an encouraging debut season in 2022, posting a 3.66 ERA over 19 begins. However the previous two campaigns have been principally outlined by his lack of well being and he has posted a 5.11 ERA whereas wholesome sufficient to take the mound. Regardless of all of the missed time, Lodolo will attain three years of service at season’s finish and qualify for arbitration, although the damage absences will minimize into his incomes energy.
Lodolo’s woes have been a part of a constellation of damage issues for the Reds this yr. A lot of their projected lineup has spent not less than a while out of motion and the pitching employees is at present in actually tough form. Lodolo joins Hunter Greene and Andrew Abbott on the IL, placing three of the golf equipment greatest starters on ice. That’s along with guys like Graham Ashcraft, Brandon Williamson and Christian Roa, who’re additionally on the IL.
The Reds additionally traded Frankie Montas previous to the deadline, so their rotation seems far totally different than it did a month in the past. Jakob Junis, acquired within the Montas deal, is stepping in to start out Tuesday’s sport. He has began up to now however hasn’t thrown greater than 2 1/3 innings in any outing throughout the previous month. He may need some workload limitations Tuesday however may maybe be stretched out to assist the Reds end the season.
The remainder of the rotation consists of Nick Martinez, Carson Spiers and Julian Aguiar. Martinez and Spiers have been in swing roles this yr however have been wanted within the rotation because of the aforementioned points. Aguiar is a rookie with simply two main league begins below his belt.
The Reds are beginning a stretch of taking part in eight video games in seven days, so they may want a fifth starter or some bulk innings sooner or later. Williamson is beginning a rehab task however will presumably want a while to ramp up. Lyon Richardson and Connor Phillips are on the 40-man roster however neither has been posting nice outcomes this yr. Justus Sheffield is round in a non-roster position however isn’t pitching effectively both. Prospect Rhett Lowder has only one begin above Double-A and isn’t but on the 40-man roster.
It’s a lower than superb scenario for the stretch run of a disappointing season. The Reds got here into the yr with postseason aspirations however the huge slate of accidents have handcuffed all of them yr. They’re at present eight video games out of a playoff spot and it will likely be very troublesome to climb again into the image with so a lot of their starters out of motion.
