As the world turns…
Nick Lodolo was dealing with a blister on his pitching hand during his start against the Boston Red Sox this weekend. After the game, manager David Bell heaped praise on his prized lefthander for altering his pitch mix because of it, noting to Joe Danneman of FOX 19 that “I think he got through the game without it getting worse.”
David Bell on Nick Lodolo: Threw with a blister today. Didn’t have normal feel of curveball because of it.
I thought he did a nice job without one of his best pitches.
We’ll monitor it close. It’s a concern, but I think he got through the game without it getting worse.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) June 23, 2024
It got worse.
On Tuesday morning, the Reds placed Lodolo on the 15-day IL (retro to 6/24) with the blister issue, meaning he’ll miss a pair of starts because of it.
The #Reds today recalled from Triple-A Louisville RHP Yosver Zulueta and placed on the 15-day injured list, retro to 6/24, LHP Nick Lodolo (left finger blister). pic.twitter.com/pjr34ZkOhE
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 25, 2024
Righty Yosver Zulueta was called up to take Lodolo’s spot on the roster for now, though you have to wonder if we’ll see Graham Ashcraft back with the big club when they need a starter again in a few days. He’s not pitched for AAA Louisville since June 20th, for the record.
It’s the latest blow to a Reds club that has struggled to keep even half of its best players healthy at the same time, with TJ Friedl’s return to the IL just yesterday making this one feel like piling on.