Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that Lodolo (finger) won't return from the 15-day injured list before the end of the season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
The left-hander will end up missing the final five-plus weeks of the season due to the sprained finger he sustained Aug. 22 against the Pirates. Lodolo should have plenty of time to get healthy before the start of spring training and closes out the 2024 season with a 4.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 122:37 K:BB over 115.1 innings (21 starts).
Lodolo (finger) will meet with a doctor Monday and then join teammates in St. Louis the following day, MLB.com reports.
Cincinnati manager David Bell said Saturday that if Lodolo can bend his finger "all the way," then the left-hander will start a throwing program. Lodolo has spent four different stints on the injured list in 2024 with four different injuries.
Lodolo's sprained left middle finger will be in a splint until Sept. 9, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Lodolo landed on the 15-day injured list earlier this week and will have the finger immobilized for a couple weeks. While the Reds have not ruled out a return for the lefty before the end of the season, it will be difficult for him to make it back.
Lodolo might miss the remainder of the regular season due to his sprained finger, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "It's not concerning for the long term, but it's a rare injury that could keep him out for the year," manager David Bell said of Lodolo. "That's the bottom line."
Lodolo further said that the sprain has been bothering him for most of the summer, dating back to when he developed a blister on his pitching finger.
Reds' Nick Lodolo: Goes on IL with sprained finger
Rotowire
The Reds placed Lodolo on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a left middle finger sprain.
It's not clear how long Lodolo's finger has been bothering him, but it's worth noting he holds a 9.75 ERA over his last five starts. The left-hander will be eligible to return on Sept. 8, although it's uncertain at this point whether he has a shot to be back by that time. Jakob Junis is sliding into the rotation in Lodolo's place.
Lodolo (9-6) took the loss against Pittsburgh on Thursday, allowing five runs on two hits and three walks while striking out nine batters over 4.2 innings.
On the plus side, Lodolo racked up 17 whiffs and nine punchouts -- his most since he struck out 11 Padres on April 29. Despite that, the left-hander's outing ended on a very sour note, as he followed four scoreless frames with a disastrous fifth. In that inning, Lodolo gave up only one hit -- an infield single -- but also experienced a loss of control, hitting two batters and walking two more. He gave up two runs before departing with two outs and the bases loaded, then watched from the dugout as all three of the runners he passed over to the bullpen came around to score. Lodolo is 1-3 in his past five starts and has an ugly 9.75 ERA over that span.
Lodolo (9-5) took the loss against Kansas City on Saturday, allowing eight runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two batters over 2.1 innings.
Lodolo gave up one run in the first frame and two in the second to fall behind early. Things got much worse for him in the third inning, when he allowed the first four batters to reach base and was lifted with one out and the bases loaded having already given up two more runs. All three of the runners he left aboard subsequently came around to score on a Dairon Blanco grand slam. This was the second time in his past four starts that Lodolo has been charged with eight runs in an outing, and his ERA has jumped from 3.33 at the All-Star break to its current mark of 4.55.
Lodolo didn't factor into the decision Sunday against Milwaukee, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks across 5.1 innings. He struck out four.
Two of the three hits Lodolo allowed went for extra bases, with Joey Ortiz launching a two-run homer in the second inning and William Contreras belting a double in the sixth. Lodolo was pulled immediately after Contreras' double but was still on the hook for a pair of baserunners, and Lodolo's third earned run came on an RBI single by the next batter. Through 108.1 innings, Lodolo has a 3.99 ERA and a 111:32 K:BB. He's projected to face the Royals next time out.
