Cincinnati Reds LHP Nick Lodolo to make season debut Saturday against Chicago White Sox
Despite a shorter-than-planned rehab start Sunday, Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo is scheduled to come off the injured list Saturday in Chicago and make his season debut against the White Sox.
Manager David Bell said the rotation stays the same for now, which means a six-man crew through Saturday.
“We’ll have to decide what our rotation looks like at that point,” Bell said.
The Reds are in the midst of a 13-game stretch without a day off until April 18.
Lodolo’s return would give Graham Ashcraft, Frankie Montas and Hunter Greene an extra day each before turns on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at Chicago and Seattle, assuming the Reds keep those three on schedule.
They would have the choice at that point to start Nick Martinez with an extra day’s rest or push Martinez to the bullpen and bring Andrew Abbott back on a natural fifth day for the series finale in Seattle before the next off day.
Martinez, a successful swingman through his career, has a 3.24 career ERA in relief.
Lodolo, who last pitched in May because of a left tibia injury, took extra time this spring and into April to stretch out and build up enough to make his return.
He pitched only 2 ⅔ innings for Louisville on Sunday but threw 64 pitches in a long third.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds rotation gets boost with Nick Lodolo's return Saturday
