Recently the Cincinnati Reds placed starting pitcher on the 15-day injured list due to a blister on his left index finger. Nick Lodolo was pulled in the second inning of Monday’s victory over the Chicago Cubs and is expected to miss at least two weeks.
To help fill the gap, the Reds called up Yosver Zulueta. The right-hander hasn’t been on the major league roster since early May but has been performing exceptionally well in the minors. With the bullpen heavily taxed, his addition comes at a crucial time.
Scott Barlow threw two innings on Monday and is unlikely to be available for the next game. Emilio Pagán and Tony Santillan have also seen heavy workloads recently. Though Zulueta hasn’t pitched in the big leagues for a while, he has posted a 3.86 ERA and a 29.4% strikeout rate in the minors this season and has pitched more than one inning in 10 outings over the past two months.
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Reds place Nick Lodolo on the 15-day IL, activate Yosver Zulueta
Nick Martinez, who relieved Lodolo on Monday, is anticipated to retake his spot in the Reds rotation. If Hunter Greene returns as expected within the next week, the Reds may choose to shift Martinez or Chase Burns to the bullpen for the duration of the 2025 season.
Fortunately, the Reds acquired former Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Zack Littlell during last week’s MLB trade deadline. The newest member of the Cincinnati rotation will make his Reds debut on Tuesday, as Terry Francona’s team attempts to seal the series against the Cubs.
Cincinnati overturned a 2-1 deficit on Monday night thanks to Elly De La Cruz’s RBI double in the sixth inning and TJ Frield’s go-ahead single in the seventh. The Reds are attempting to catch the Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, but the most feasible path to the postseason may be the final slot in the NL Wild Card race.
