The Cincinnati Reds, a team that entered the 2026 season with high expectations for their pitching staff, have faced a whirlwind of adversity before even stepping onto the mound for Opening Day. Still, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon in the form of left-hander Nick Lodolo, who’s making steady progress in his recovery from a blister injury that sidelined him just as the season began.
Nick Lodolo, one of the Reds’ most promising young arms, is scheduled to make a rehab start on Thursday, April 2, 2026, in Daytona. According to Reds reporter Charlie Goldsmith, "Nick Lodolo is set up to throw a rehab game on Thursday in Daytona," confirming that the southpaw is close to rejoining the rotation. After a spring training marred by a recurring blister on his pitching hand, Lodolo landed on the injured list to open the year, much to the chagrin of Reds fans and fantasy baseball managers alike.
Blister issues aren’t new territory for Lodolo. Last season, similar problems forced him to miss a handful of games, but they never derailed his campaign entirely. The Reds’ medical staff and coaching team have worked diligently to manage the situation, hoping to minimize its impact throughout the long grind of the MLB season. As one Reds insider put it, "This should never be a long-term issue. It could pop up every so often, but Lodolo should only miss one, maybe two starts, each time it pops up." That’s a relief for a ballclub that’s already seen its depth tested to the limit.
The Reds’ pitching woes didn’t stop with Lodolo. Hunter Greene, widely regarded as the ace of Cincinnati’s staff and one of the league’s most electric young pitchers, underwent elbow surgery during the offseason. The procedure is expected to keep him out until at least July, stripping the Reds of their top arm for the first half of the campaign. Greene’s absence, combined with Lodolo’s blister setback, left the Reds scrambling to piece together a rotation that had been hyped as one of the best and deepest in all of baseball just a few months ago.
Compounding matters, right-hander Brady Singer also developed blister problems late in spring training. Unlike Lodolo, Singer has managed to pitch through the discomfort, though it was evident during his first start of the season that the issue was bothering him. The Reds are monitoring his situation closely, hoping that the blisters don’t flare up again and force another key starter to the sidelines.
Despite these early-season challenges, there have been bright spots for Cincinnati. Andrew Abbott, Brady Singer, and rookie Rhett Lowder have all delivered quality starts out of the gate, helping to steady the ship while the rotation awaits reinforcements. Abbott’s poise, Singer’s grit, and Lowder’s composure have given manager David Bell reason to believe that the Reds can weather this storm, at least for now. Still, the return of Lodolo could be the boost the team needs to stay competitive in a tough National League Central division.
Lodolo’s scheduled rehab outing in Daytona is the latest sign that he’s trending in the right direction. If all goes well, he could be activated from the injured list as soon as next week, just in time for the Reds’ road series against the Miami Marlins starting April 6. As Goldsmith reported, "That would set him up to return from the IL when the Reds are in Miami." For a rotation that’s already thin, Lodolo’s return would be nothing short of a lifeline.
Fans and analysts alike have kept a close eye on Lodolo since he broke into the majors. His combination of a lively fastball and devastating breaking pitches makes him a tough matchup for any hitter. Last season, despite the blister setbacks, Lodolo showed flashes of brilliance, and the Reds are banking on him taking another step forward in 2026. The organization has been careful not to rush him back, mindful that a premature return could risk aggravating the injury and causing a longer absence.
Meanwhile, the Reds’ front office and medical staff are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to prevent recurring blister issues. They’ve worked with Lodolo to adjust his grip, refine his pregame routines, and even experiment with different types of tape and ointments. While blisters can be a nagging problem for pitchers, especially those who rely heavily on breaking balls, the consensus among team doctors is that Lodolo’s case is manageable. "The fact that Lodolo is already trending in the right direction for the Reds is a good sign. The fact that he could be back after missing two starts is very good news," one team source noted.
The timing couldn’t be better. The Reds are embarking on a crucial early-season stretch, with a road trip to Miami looming. The Marlins, perennial contenders in the National League East, will provide a stiff test for a Cincinnati team still searching for its identity. If Lodolo can slot back into the rotation and deliver the kind of performances he’s capable of, the Reds’ playoff hopes will get a much-needed shot in the arm.
Of course, the team’s fortunes don’t hinge solely on Lodolo’s health. The continued development of Abbott, Singer, and Lowder will be critical, especially with Greene sidelined until at least July. The bullpen, too, will need to step up, as the starters work to build up their innings and regain full strength. But there’s no denying that Lodolo’s return would be a game-changer, both for the team’s morale and its chances of staying afloat in a competitive division.
As for Lodolo himself, all eyes will be on his rehab start in Daytona. If he emerges unscathed and shows no lingering effects from the blister, expect the Reds to waste little time slotting him back into the rotation. For now, Reds fans can only cross their fingers and hope that the worst of the injury bug is behind them.
With Lodolo’s return on the horizon and the rest of the rotation holding steady, the Cincinnati Reds are poised to turn the page on a rocky start to the 2026 campaign. The next week promises to be pivotal, as the team looks to get back to full strength and make a run in the always unpredictable National League Central.