The Reds are losing another starter to the injured list, as the team announced this morning that rookie left-hander Nick Lodolo is headed to the 10-day IL. He’s dealing with a lower back strain, per Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link). Infielder Mike Moustakas was reinstated from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move, and he’s back in the Reds’ lineup as the designated hitter for Thursday’s game.
Cincinnati hasn’t given any indication as to whether this will be a brief stint on the IL for Lodolo, or whether their touted young lefty could be facing a more protracted absence. Regardless, he’s joining both Luis Castillo and Mike Minor on the injured list, leaving an already floundering Reds team with a question mark in the rotation. Tyler Mahle, Hunter Greene, Vladimir Gutierrez and Reiver Sanmartin are all healthy options at the moment, although Greene’s 5.27 ERA is the best of that bunch through four turns in the rotation.
Castillo set out on a rehab assignment this past weekend and threw 48 pitches (2 1/3 innings), so he’s at least on pace to rejoin the rotation sooner than later. The Reds had been planning on giving him two more rehab appearances before activating him in perhaps the second week of May, so we’ll see if the injury to Lodolo prompts a more accelerated timetable for the team’s top starter. Cincinnati could simply go with a bullpen game or two while waiting on Castillo’s return, or it’s possible that they’ll take a look at righty Graham Ashcraft, who’s out to a strong start in Triple-A. If the preference is for a shorter-term veteran option, right-hander Zack Godley is also on the roster down in Louisville. Either would need to be selected to the 40-man roster.
Lodolo, 24, was the No. 7 overall draft pick back in 2019 and entered the season ranked among the sport’s top pitching prospects. He’s gotten out to a rough start, however, surrendering a 5.52 ERA through 14 2/3 innings over his first three big league starts. He’s punched out an impressive 27.5% of his opponents thus far, but Lodolo has yielded a whopping 18 hits — three of them home runs. He’s also walked five hitters and plunked a pair, further crowding the basepaths. Certainly, a rocky stretch of three starts to begin his career isn’t going to dramatically alter the perception of Lodolo or dampen his long-term outlook, but the struggles are magnified, given the injuries and struggles that are permeating the remainder of the Reds’ pitching staff.
As for the 33-year-old Moustakas, he wound up missing a minimal 10 days with a right biceps strain. The three-time All-Star is in dire need of a rebound at the dish, as he opened the year with a .129/.125/.129 slash and is batting just .196/.261/.336 in 238 plate appearances dating back to 2021. Moustakas is in the third season of a four-year, $64MM contract with the Reds.
Worst owner in MLB-Bob Castellini
Worst GM in MLB-Nick Krall
Bob Nutting would like to have a word.
Time to dig up Marge Schott.
yikes, devastating news on two fronts today
This never looked like their season, which is why they should’ve traded Castillo & Gray long ago. But the timeline for a successful 2024 is still there. Send Lodolo down for a month or two to fix his service time. It’s probably too late to send Greene down, but at least he’s electric.
But what they really need to do is to stop with the stop-gap measures. Don’t sign anyone for 2023, let Moose and Votto play out. They will have -0- commitments, and a few very high-caliber kids. Maybe extend Mahle.
Send Greene down to work on his control… and rest; arm fatigue already.
With no intention or hope of competing in 22/23 it made zero sense to keep Castillo. As usual the Reds will hold onto him until the last minute when trade value is the lowest then try to convince everyone the mediocre prospect they get in return is making the team better
It feels like they are operating in fear of displeasing some of their fan base. To me, they are focused too much on playing .500. They need to make smarter 2024 moves, and disregard the current year record.
Agree. They have not choice but to let Moose and Votto play out unless they include a lot of money or young talent. Again, I agree with just letting them play out. The Reds aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, so don’t give away young cheap talent.
If they do that, everyone will be complaining about them tanking and not providing jobs for a few decent veterans that they can afford and have room to play rather than overexposing some of their prospects before they’re truly ready.
Any bright spots on this team?
Tommy Pham hasn’t got stabbed today?
Must be avoiding strip clubs now.
India is back?
They can’t drop any further in the rankings
Other than pitching, India and Stephenson are about it. Maybe Barreo. Not much in the way of hitters anywhere close in the minors.
Lodolo was their bright spot.
They won’t rush Castillo and take the chance of him reinjuring himself. He’ll be one of the mos5 sought after pitchers at the trade deadline, and this is one they’d better not screw up..