Nick Lodolo tests his blister in Triple-A rehab start as Reds aim for an early return

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo made a rehab start Wednesday afternoon with Triple-A Louisville, taking the next step in his recovery from a blister. The outing was scheduled as part of a progression meant to measure how the left-hander’s body responds to pitch-time stress and whether he can handle the demands of returning to the major-league rotation.

According to the team’s report, Lodolo’s plan moving forward depends on how he felt coming out of the rehab start. For pitchers returning from hand or finger issues, that post-batting-practice and post-start evaluation is often the key checkpoint, because it helps determine whether the problem can be managed at full intensity.

Lodolo went on the injured list for the second time this season on July 12. His latest stint on the IL set up the current rehab window, and the Reds used the Triple-A start to get him back into a live-game rhythm rather than relying solely on controlled throwing sessions.

The rehab start is also significant because it reduces uncertainty for Cincinnati’s rotation management. When an important starter is in a recovery phase, teams must balance immediate needs with the likelihood of a longer absence, often using bullpen innings and turn-by-turn rotation adjustments. A successful rehab outing can tighten that timeline and allow the club to plan a return with less guesswork.

Triple-A Louisville gives Lodolo a structured environment for real hitters, real pitch sequences, and the type of workload that more closely resembles a major-league start. It also creates a controlled bridge between clinical recovery and full-game readiness, with the Reds able to monitor how the blister area tolerates gripping and repeating delivery mechanics under game conditions.

In the report, the Reds’ path forward is framed in practical terms: Lodolo could return to the big leagues soon if his response after Wednesday’s outing is favorable. That wording underscores that the next decision point is not simply whether he completed the start, but whether the symptoms remain controlled and the recovery timeline stays on track.

As the rehab process continues, Reds fans will be watching for what the team does with the rotation in the days after the Louisville start. The immediate focus should be the clubhouse-to-medical staff feedback on his comfort and follow-up workload, since that is what determines whether the return date compresses or stretches out.

If Lodolo’s recovery remains smooth, his return would land as a meaningful boost to a pitching staff that relies heavily on its starters to set tempo across series. Even without assuming any specific date, the rehab start suggests the Reds believe he is close enough to consider a near-term major-league reactivation if the latest evaluation is positive.