Cincinnati Reds Place Nick Lodolo on Injured List, with a Bold Replacement Giving an Unexpected Opportunity to a Familiar Face

The Cincinnati Reds have placed left-handed starter Nick Lodolo on the 15-day injured list after he was forced to leave Monday night’s game in the second inning due to a blister on his throwing hand. In a decisive roster move, the team has recalled right-hander Yosver Zulueta from Triple-A Louisville — a name Reds fans will recognize — offering him a surprise opportunity to step into a bigger role.

Lodolo, in the midst of his best season yet, felt something wrong immediately after a pitch to Washington’s Trea Turner.

“It came out of nowhere,” Lodolo explained. “I struck out Castro and felt fine. But then I threw a slider, and it felt like my skin ripped. I saw a blister forming with fluid under it, and I knew from experience it was better to stop than make it worse.”

Before the injury, Lodolo had been a key piece in Cincinnati’s rotation, boasting an 8–6 record with a 3.05 ERA and 124 strikeouts over 129.2 innings.

While his absence is a setback, the Reds hope Zulueta can step in effectively. The 26-year-old righty has been steadily developing in the minors and now has a chance to prove himself again at the top level.

This move could mark a turning point in Zulueta’s career — and in the Reds’ rotation down the stretch.