Reds recall Nick Lodolo, add Michael Toglia in Chicago roster shakeup

The Cincinnati Reds made a quick roster adjustment ahead of their next set of games against the Chicago White Sox, activating left-hander Nick Lodolo and selecting the contract of infielder/outfielder Michael Toglia. The moves report Cincinnati is lining up for Lodolo’s return after time away from active duty, with the additional roster spot supporting depth for the upcoming stretch.

According to reporting from Yahoo Sports, the Reds also completed a separate transaction ahead of the series by optioning Ivan Johnson. The timing mattered for Cincinnati’s day-to-day planning because the team acted after an off-day, a window that often precedes the first pitching assignments and lineup considerations for the next opponent.

Lodolo’s activation was framed as the centerpiece of the club’s Monday roster activity. With the White Sox series opener scheduled to begin in Chicago, activating him suggests the Reds intended to have their planned left-handed option available for the start of the road matchup.

In parallel, Cincinnati’s decision to select Toglia’s contract indicates the club wanted a specific complementary bat and roster versatility for the series. Toglia’s presence on the active roster, combined with the activation of Lodolo, effectively explains the Reds’ need to move another player off the active list to manage the number of players available.

The Johnson optioning, by contrast, reflects a common roster-management approach: cycling a fringe option through the minors while preserving starting pitching readiness and maintaining enough position-player depth for different game situations. Even without additional details from an official announcement in the information currently available, the sequence of transactions is consistent with a team preparing for a multi-game set with clear roles to fill.

For fans, the practical question now becomes how Cincinnati will deploy its active roster once Lodolo is in the picture. With a left-hander returning to the active staff and Toglia added to the lineup mix, watch for how the Reds balance infield-outfield flexibility, matchup preferences, and bullpen usage during the first two games in Chicago.

What to monitor next is whether additional roster moves follow after the series begins, particularly if Cincinnati’s early-game usage patterns require more pitching or position-player adjustments. For now, the publicly reported headline is straightforward: Lodolo is back in the rotation plans for the White Sox series, and Toglia is on the active roster as Cincinnati reshapes its depth chart for Chicago.