Cincinnati Reds LHP Nick Lodolo tunes up for possible long-awaited return next weekend
A long third inning Sunday cost rehabbing Nick Lodolo a chance to pitch as deep into his start for Triple-A Louisville as the Cincinnati Reds wanted to see, giving team officials one more variable to discuss in plotting his return to the rotation.
But he finished the day without any apparent health setbacks.
And his return could come as soon as next weekend against the White Sox if the Reds stick to the planned timeline.
Lodolo, who pitched five innings in his March 31 rehab start, got through two quick innings Sunday before back-to-back singles leading off the third opened a 36-pitch, four-run inning that included hitting two of the final three batters he faced.
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He threw 64 pitches total, facing 15 batters, in a rehab start pushed back two days because of a travel issue.
Lodolo, who missed most of last season because of a stress fracture in his left tibia, was pulled from Sunday’s game for pitch count considerations. He last pitched in a major league game last May 6.
“There’s not a plan in place yet,” manager David Bell said before the Reds game when asked about where Lodolo slots into the Reds’ rotation plans next time through.
That conversation is expected by Monday and could include the possibility of going with six starters for at least one turn, providing the current five an extra day of rest next time through.
“Truly everything is on the table,” Bell said. “That is one of the options.”
The easiest to replace in the rotation when that time is determined would seem to be Nick Martinez (7.20 ERA in two starts), an experienced swingman with a 3.24 career ERA in relief.
Lodolo’s first possible return date, Friday in Chicago, would be Andrew Abbott’s normal turn. Abbott threw 95 pitches in five innings Sunday against the New York Mets.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How Cincinnati Reds might fit Nick Lodolo into rotation next weekend
