The Cincinnati Reds have made a set of roster moves today prior to the series finale in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. Nick Lodolo is returning from the 15-day injured list after dealing with a blister problem on his left hand. He’s taking the spot on the 26-man roster of Graham Ashcraft, who is heading to the injured list with what is being called a right forearm strain for the time being.
With Graham Ashcraft there will likely be more information when manager Terry Francona meets with the media before the game. He had an MRI after experiencing soreness/tightness in his forearm near his wrist, but there has not been any information on what came of that to this point. What we do know is that his placement on the injured list was retroactive to the 25th and that he will miss at least 15 days from that point before he’ll be eligible to return.
For Nick Lodolo, he’s missed just over three weeks while dealing with the blister issue on his pitching hand. He left his start on August 4th in the 2nd inning after throwing 1.2 perfect innings and just 22 pitches before the blister became a problem and he turned the game over to the bullpen. In the four starts prior to that he had allowed just four earned runs in 27.1 innings while striking out 30 batters with just two walks.
Getting Lodolo back could be quite beneficial for the Reds. The lefty, who has made 23 starts this season and thrown 129.2 innings has posted a 3.05 ERA this year and has just 24 walks to go along with 124 strikeouts. Not that the rotation was in a bad place without him, but it’s in a better place with him. And his return also likely means that Nick Martinez, who had been in the rotation, slides into a bullpen role where he’s been able to find success this year in his limited action there.
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