Cincinnati Reds LHP Nick Lodolo excited to be healthy
GOODYEAR, Ariz. –– When Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo reported to spring training, he told pitching coach Derek Johnson, “I know what I can do when I’m healthy.”
Since the Reds drafted Lodolo in 2019, staying healthy has been Lodolo’s biggest obstacle. He missed time with different injuries in 2021 and 2022, and then he missed most of the 2023 season with a stress reaction with his tibia.
Lodolo is still progressing as he comes back from the injury, but he threw a bullpen Wednesday that he saw as a great sign. He compared how he felt and the extension that he created off of the mound to where he was at last April, when Lodolo was pitching through the injury.
“There was a night and day difference,” Lodolo said. “I know that I can help us win. I know how badly I want to be out there. When you’re hurt, you realize how much the game means to you and how much it means to be a part of something bigger than yourself. Yesterday was really nice for me to be playing baseball again with the guys.”
Lodolo has already thrown out of the bullpen six times, and manager David Bell said that Lodolo is in the mix to start one of the Reds’ first 10 spring training games. The Reds are being cautious with Lodolo at the start of spring training, planning to maximize the impact Lodolo can make over the entire season and into the playoffs.
“Health is still the No. 1 priority,” Bell said. “We’re getting there. If everything goes well and goes perfect, he’ll be ready to start the season on time. That’s it. It’s his health. When healthy, there may not be anybody like him or better than him. The health is the key.”
Cincinnati Reds lefty reliever Young shut down
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Alex Young experienced back tightness during bullpen work Wednesday and has been scratched from his spring throwing schedule until further evaluation.
“We’re just going to get to the bottom of that before he does anything else,” manager David Bell said Thursday morning.
Reds Hall of Famer death Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Bench: 'Not a better athlete and person than Don Gullett'
Reds spring training Denial, anger, acceptance: How players dealt with the Reds’ facial hair policy
Reds spring training Frankie Montas on PECOTA lowball view of Cincinnati Reds: 'I'm going to win 20 myself'
Young, the only left-hander in the Reds bullpen for important stretches of last season, is the only player to have any health setbacks through the first two official days of camp, Bell said.
During the offseason, the Reds added veteran left-hander Brent Suter to the bullpen on a one-year free agent deal.
Unless 2023 rookie starters Andrew Abbott or Brandon Williamson wind up in the bullpen as swing guys, Suter, Young and Sam Moll would be the lefties in the season-opening bullpen.
Young had a 3.86 ERA over 63 appearances for a bullpen that became the backbone of the Reds' surprising surge.
Reds Jonathan India The Reds didn't want to trade Jonathan India, who's embracing his new role for 2024
Reds spring training Cincinnati Reds bounce-back starter Frankie Montas 'excited' after 1st spring bullpen work
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds LHP Nick Lodolo healthy and ready to make a difference
