The Cincinnati Reds welcome back another seasoned star to their starting lineup as Nick Lodolo makes a triumphant return.
After overcoming his health issues, Nick Lodolo appeared back in his element as he returned to the major leagues.
Lodolo showcased his prowess by striking out 10 batters and delivering 5 2/3 scoreless innings for the Cincinnati Reds against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday.
Standing tall at 6-foot-6, the left-handed pitcher only conceded one hit, an infield single by Robbie Grossman in the sixth inning, and issued just one walk while hitting two batters.
Lodolo received some stellar support from his teammates, notably Stuart Fairchild’s diving catch in the fourth inning to deny Gavin Sheets extra bases, and Spencer Steer’s sliding grab in the sixth to thwart Sheets once more.
This marked Lodolo’s first appearance in the major league since May 6, facing the same opponents, the White Sox. His 2023 season was cut short after making seven starts due to a stress reaction in his left tibia.
Despite pitching well in two spring training games in March, allowing only one run in 4 2/3 innings, Lodolo started the season on the injured list for 15 days due to a left calf issue.
The 26-year-old, originally drafted by Cincinnati with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2019 amateur draft from TCU, made his major league debut in 2022, amassing a 3.66 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings. However, he faced setbacks that season due to a lower back strain.
To accommodate Lodolo’s return, right-hander Carson Spiers was sent down to Triple-A Louisville. Manager David Bell noted that Spiers will continue honing his skills as a starter with the minor league club.
Leave a Reply