Promising Reds starter once again lands on injured list

The Reds announced that left-hander Nick Lodolo has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 12, due to a left groin strain. Left-hander Sam Moll was recalled in a corresponding move.

It’s unclear exactly when Lodolo got hurt or how severe the injury is. He took the ball for the club on Saturday and threw 98 pitches over six innings. Up until this IL announcement, there wasn’t any indication that he wouldn’t be making his scheduled start on Thursday.

Further updates from the team will provide more information on the next steps, but it’s a frustrating development regardless. Lodolo has shown incredible talent when on the field in his young career, but injuries have continued to get in the way.

In 2022, he was called up to the big leagues in mid-April but was limited to 103 1/3 innings over 19 starts, missing time due to a lower right back strain and left calf tendinitis. Last year, a stress reaction in his left tibia held him to just seven starts. His continued to experience discomfort in his left leg during spring training this year, which forced him to start the season on the IL and miss the first couple of weeks.

Despite all those challenges, the results have been great. He had a 3.66 earned run average in 2022, striking out 29.7% of batters faced while keeping 46% of balls in play on the ground. He struggled in his seven starts last year with a 6.29 ERA, but bounced back in 2024. Through 35 innings in six starts, he currently sports a 3.34 ERA with a 30.7% strikeout rate, 6.4% walk rate and 44.6% ground ball rate.

To see him land on the IL again is unfortunate in a vacuum, but even more so given the other injuries on the roster. The Reds came into this season looking to take a step forward after the 2023 season saw them graduate an army of young prospects to the majors and narrowly miss the playoffs.

But injuries have been playing a big role so far this year, as each of Christian Encarnacion-Strand, TJ Friedl, Matt McLain, Tejay Antone, Ian Gibaut, Brandon Williamson and Alex Young are on the IL. On top of that, Noelvi Marte received an 80-game PED suspension and will miss the first half of the season.

With that pile of talent not available, the club has naturally struggled to perform as hoped. The Reds are currently 18-24 and tied for last in the National League Central. There’s still lots of time for them to gain ground, but Lodolo’s absence will make it more challenging.

Nick Martinez has bounced between the rotation and the bullpen this year, so he would appear to be the most likely to take over Lodolo’s spo.. Martinez last pitched on Sunday, throwing 21 pitches, and could perhaps give the club at least a few innings Thursday. He’ll slot into the rotation next to Andrew Abbott, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft and Frankie Montas.

If another injury should occur before Lodolo or Williamson are healthy, the Reds have Connor Phillips, Lyon Richardson, Christian Roa and Carson Spiers on the 40-man roster and currently on optional assignment.