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What Should the Reds Do With Nick Lodolo?

When the Cincinnati Reds selected Nick Lodolo with the seventh overall pick in 2019, they expected him to be a top-of-the-rotation arm. A long and lanky lefty with a sidearm arm slot that produces swing-and-miss stuff and plus command is…

Published: Saturday, 17 October 2026 at 3:15 PM
What Should the Reds Do With Nick Lodolo?
Key Things to Know
  • Just Baseball argues the Cincinnati Reds must retain pitcher Nick Lodolo despite performance and injury concerns.
  • Lodolo struggled in 2026 with blister issues, recording a 4.97 ERA and career-low 6.87 K/9.
  • The 28-year-old left-hander is projected to earn $6.75 million in his final arbitration season in 2027.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Just Baseball argues that despite ongoing injury troubles and a poor 2026 campaign, the Cincinnati Reds should retain starting pitcher Nick Lodolo for the 2027 season. After a strong 2025 season where he posted a 3.33 ERA across 28 starts, Lodolo struggled with recurring blister issues in 2026, finishing with a 4.97 ERA and a career-worst 6.87 strikeouts per nine innings.

The writer notes that while trading Lodolo in his final arbitration year is tempting, Cincinnati lacks the rotational depth to replace him. With Hunter Greene sidelined for 2027 and Brady Singer facing free agency, Just Baseball concludes that paying Lodolo's projected $6.75 million salary remains the club's most realistic option.

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