Reds Injury Update – Nick Lodolo set for rehab assignment

TL;DR

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo is set to begin a rehab assignment with High-A Dayton after throwing 50 pitches in a simulated game. He has been sidelined due to a recurring blister issue but is expected to pitch four innings on Sunday.

Key points

Nick Lodolo is starting a rehab assignment with High-A Dayton.
He threw 50 pitches in a simulated game before the assignment.
Lodolo has been out due to a recurring blister issue.

Nick LodoloCincinnati RedsHigh-A Dayton

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 12: Nick Lodolo #40 of the Cincinnati Reds gets set to throw a pitch during a Spring Training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on March 12, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Cincinnati Reds v Washington Nationals It is undeniable that the heartbeat of the Cincinnati Reds roster is their starting pitching. During the 2025 regular season, in particular, that group posted an impressive 19.4 fWAR combined, a mark that was good for third-best in all of Major League Baseball (behind only the big spending Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers). That’s by design, too. A quick glance at the projected 2026 rotation shows a cadre of former 1st round picks (Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, Nick Lodolo, ) as well as a 2nd rounder (). In other words, the Reds are well aware the importance of the rotation, the attrition that always hits it, and how their business model means they need to draft and develop the best arms they can get as early in drafts as it can be. The 2026 group hasn’t been exactly as planned, however. Greene is out until mid-summer after having elbow surgery this spring, while Lodolo has been sidelined as he battles through a recurring blister issue that’s cost him time as well as impacted which pitches he can actually throw. The current group, buoyed by veteran and lefty , has obviously held up well enough for the Reds to sport a 15-8 overall record so far, but they haven’t exactly been brilliant in leading the roster there. For instance, their 6.21 K/9 ranks second worst among starting rotations league-wide. Their 4.80 expected ERA is the 8th highest, while their 4.77 xFIP ranks 3rd worst. Getting guys like Lodolo – and Greene, eventually – is only going to improve that mark, and it appears the Reds are finally getting close to that happening. As MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon relayed, Lodolo threw 50 pitches across a trio of innings in a simulated game yesterday down in Tampa, and where he’ll pitch four innings, ideally, on Sunday. One of the batters he pitched to in said simulated game was , who’s been on the IL for the last two weeks with a back/neck issue. Trevino came through the sim game unscathed, too, and it appears he could rejoin Cincinnati’s active roster as early as Wednesday. The band is getting closer to being back together!

Q&A

When will Nick Lodolo return to the Cincinnati Reds?

Nick Lodolo is currently on a rehab assignment and is expected to pitch four innings on Sunday, which could lead to his return soon after.

What injury has Nick Lodolo been dealing with?

Nick Lodolo has been sidelined due to a recurring blister issue that has affected his pitching.

How has the Reds' starting rotation performed without Lodolo?

The Reds' starting rotation has struggled, ranking second worst in K/9 and having a high expected ERA of 4.80 during Lodolo's absence.