Cincinnati Reds Provide Injury Updates on Pair of Key Pitchers

The Cincinnati Reds enter Saturday night in a tie for first place in the National League Central with the Milwaukee Brewers, and they're going to get stronger as they continue a push for their first playoff berth since 2020.

On Saturday afternoon, the team provided injury updates on a pair of ailing pitchers: Nick Lodolo and Hunter Greene.

First, on Lodolo, the following update comes from the Rotowire fantasy baseball portal:

Lodolo (lower leg) shed his walking boot and is playing catch, MLB.com reports.

ANALYSIS
Lodolo had been throwing from a stool before removing the boot and is now on his feet playing catch. The left-hander arrived at Cincinnati's training complex in Goodyear (Ariz.) on July 3 to begin a throwing program. Reds manager David Bell said Lodolo is taking it slow and will likely return some time after fellow starter Hunter Greene (hip), who is expected to be activated early August.

Lodolo was struggling before getting injured, going 2-1 with a 6.29 ERA. He's armed with electric stuff and could still be a major asset for the Reds in the second half. He's struck out 47 batters in 34.1 innings and is armed with an upper-90s fastball and a wipeout slider.

As for Greene, he's a little closer to activation:

Greene (hip) is throwing off a mound at the Reds' training complex in Goodyear (Ariz.), MLB.com reports.

ANALYSIS
Greene reached a third level of his rehab program and needs to achieve one more level before beginning a rehab assignment. The right-hander is doing a core-stability program to strengthen his hips and back to prevent future soreness. Cincinnati manager David Bell said Greene is still on track for an August return.

That's certainly better news, as he's throwing off a mound. Greene is 2-4 this season with a 3.93 ERA.

The Reds enter play on Saturday at 50-42.

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