Should the Cincinnati Reds Move Nick Lodolo to the Bullpen?

Trace Fowler and Nick Kirby debate if the Cincinnati Reds should move Nick Lodolo to the bullpen after consistent blister injuries.

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Lodolo's Blister Problems Continue to Impact Cincinnati Reds

Nick Lodolo has shown flashes of being one of the most talented left-handed pitchers in baseball, but one issue has repeatedly interrupted his progress with the Cincinnati Reds: blisters.

The latest setback once again raised questions about Lodolo's durability and availability as the Reds continue to navigate a disappointing 2026 season. While blister issues may sound minor compared to ligament injuries or shoulder problems, they can significantly affect a pitcher's ability to grip and command the baseball. For Lodolo, they have become an unfortunate recurring storyline.

## Nick Lodolo Leaves Start With Another Blister

Lodolo was forced to leave his most recent start after developing another blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand. It marked the latest chapter in what has become a frustrating trend for both the 28-year-old left-hander and the Reds.

Pitchers rely on consistent feel and grip to command every pitch in their arsenal. Even a small blister can make it difficult to throw with normal velocity, movement, and location. Continuing to pitch through one also increases the risk of the skin tearing completely, potentially leading to additional missed time.

For the Reds, every lost inning from Lodolo puts additional strain on a pitching staff that has already dealt with injuries throughout the season.

## Blister Issues Have Followed Nick Lodolo Throughout His Career

This is far from the first time Lodolo has battled blister problems.

Throughout his major league career, blister-related issues have periodically interrupted his seasons. While injuries to his back, leg, and other areas have also limited his availability over the years, finger problems have become another frustrating obstacle.

Unlike structural injuries that often require surgery or extended rehabilitation, blisters are notoriously difficult to eliminate completely. A pitcher can feel healthy one week only to have the problem return after just a few innings in the next start.

Many pitchers experiment with different routines to prevent blisters, including changing grip pressure, altering throwing schedules, using different rosin combinations, adjusting finger care routines, or modifying bullpen workloads. Even with those adjustments, some pitchers continue to battle recurring problems.

## How Blisters Affect Pitching Performance

A blister may seem insignificant, but for a major league pitcher it can completely alter performance.

Every pitch begins with fingertip pressure against the seams of the baseball. When that pressure causes pain, pitchers often unconsciously change their mechanics or release point to compensate.

That can lead to:

* Reduced command
* Lower velocity
* Less movement on breaking pitches
* Higher walk totals
* Increased pitch counts
* Greater injury risk from altered mechanics

For a pitcher like Lodolo, whose success depends heavily on precise command of his fastball, curveball, and changeup, even slight discomfort can have a major impact.

## What This Means for the Cincinnati Reds

The Reds entered the season expecting Lodolo to be a key member of their starting rotation alongside Hunter Greene, Chase Burns, Andrew Abbott, and Brady Singer.

When healthy, Lodolo has demonstrated top-of-the-rotation potential. His combination of size, deception, strikeout ability, and elite extension makes him one of the more difficult left-handed starters to square up.

However, availability has remained the biggest challenge.

Every interruption makes it more difficult for the Reds to build consistency in the rotation. It also forces additional innings onto the bullpen and requires organizational depth to step into larger roles.

As Cincinnati evaluates its roster moving forward, Lodolo's ability to stay healthy will remain one of the biggest questions surrounding the pitching staff.

## Could the Reds Consider a Different Role?

Recurring blister problems naturally lead to discussions about workload management.

Some have wondered whether shorter outings or even a bullpen role could help reduce stress on Lodolo's fingers. While there is no guarantee that fewer pitches would eliminate blister issues, limiting innings could potentially reduce repeated friction over the course of a season.

At this point, however, the Reds have continued to view Lodolo as a starting pitcher whenever he is healthy.

Given his talent, it is understandable why the organization would want to exhaust every opportunity to keep him in the rotation before considering any permanent role change.