The Cincinnati Reds had originally planned to gradually reintegrate Nick Lodolo after the left-hander missed the start of the season due to a blister on his left index finger. However, the team’s current seven-game losing streak has forced a quicker return, as Lodolo is set to start against the visiting Houston Astros on Friday.
The Reds enter the three-game series reeling from a four-game sweep by the Chicago Cubs. Cincinnati has dropped eight of its past nine contests, sinking to the bottom of the National League Central.
“It’s a long season, and I know a lot of people say that,” said Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson. “And sometimes when things aren’t going well, it seems like nothing goes well during those stretches. But we’ve got to just regroup. We’ve just got to continue to battle and do what we do.”
Houston enjoyed a day off Thursday after losing two of three at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lodolo’s return comes as welcome news for a rotation battered by injuries. Rhett Lowder exited Thursday’s 8-3 loss with right shoulder discomfort, potentially joining Hunter Greene (bone chips in right elbow) and Brandon Williamson (left shoulder fatigue) on the injured list.
Lodolo, 28, will make his season debut after posting a 9-8 record with a 3.33 ERA across 29 games (28 starts) last year. It will be his first career appearance against the Astros.
“I’m really excited,” Lodolo said. “I’ve just been kind of sitting here, trying to truck along slowly. I’m excited to get back in, get out there and compete and just be a part of it with the boys.”
The Astros will counter with right-hander Mike Burrows (1-4, 5.97 ERA), who allowed three runs over six innings in a 3-1 road loss to the Boston Red Sox on May 1.
Burrows, 26, has limited opponents to three runs or
