Reds Starting Pitcher Nick Lodolo to Take Encouraging Next Step in Rehab Process

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Lodolo will make a significant step in his rehab process on Thursday night. He will start Opening Night for the Reds' Low-A affiliate, the Daytona Tortugas.

Lodolo, who left his last start in the Spring due to a blister on his throwing hand, is expected to throw around 60-65 pitches.

If the start goes well, there is optimism that he could be ready to start against the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, April 7.

On Wednesday night, Tortugas broadcaster Matthew Mounsey caught up with the left-hander in Daytona and asked about his blister.

"It's good now," Lodolo said. "I haven't gotten in any game action yet since Spring Training. I am looking forward to tomorrow."

Although the injury has forced Lodolo to miss the first couple starts of the season, he's confident he will be able to be healthy for much of the season and be a pitcher the Reds can rely on.

"That's the goal, to throw as much as possible. It's all of our goals. But yeah, with Hunter out, we just have to do our job. As starting pitchers, just as a whole. I think we will be fine. But it will definitely be nice when we get him back."

Reds Will Have a Decision to Make

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson (55) delivers a pitch in the first inning of a MLB game between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati. | Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Before Lodolo went down with a blister, the Reds announced that they were going to go with a five-man rotation, but use six guys for those five starts. That included Brandon Williamson.

Williamson struggled against the Pirates on Tuesday, giving up six runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked two and struck out three. Will the Reds go back to their original idea, or will they simply replace Williamson with Lodolo?

Below is what manager Terry Francona initially said when they announced their plan.

“We’re not going to have a six-man rotation, but we have six (pitchers) for five (rotation spots)," Francona said. “Lowder didn’t pitch last year. Williamson hasn’t pitched in 15 months, and Burns has 13 minor-league starts. We’re trying to help those guys along and not sacrifice winning.”

But that’s getting ahead of ourselves. First, the Reds just need to see Nick Lodolo look right on Thursday in Daytona. It’s less about the results and more about how he feels and whether he looks healthy. Missing a couple starts early isn’t ideal, but they need him for the long haul.

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