Lodolo's Blister Setback: Reds' Rotation in Limbo

It's April 3rd.

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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Ladolo took the mound for their low A affiliate, the Daytona

Tortugas, on Thursday night.

He was set to throw 60 to 65 pitches in his rehab start, but the blister on his finger

flared up again.

He only got through two and two-thirds innings before calling it.

Ladolo figured the issue was behind him, but it popped right back on his 40th pitch.

He's tried pitching through it before, and that just leads to more problems.

Now the team is putting together a new plan to get him back on track.

Everyone involved is feeling the frustration, from Ladolo himself to the front office

and fans.

He wants to compete at this level first, before pushing higher.

With Hunter Green's sideline until at least July, the Reds rotation is thin without Ladolo

stepping up soon.

He's already tested all the usual fixes, but nothing sticks long-term.

Holding his grip on that key pitch is on the table, though nobody wants to go there lightly.

Availability has been his biggest hurdle throughout his career.

For now, Ladolo starts light catch in a day or two, taking a day by day to heal up solid.

The Reds are counting on him to stay healthy and anchor that staff moving forward.