Thursday, February 20

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- When Nick Lodolo arrived at Reds camp, the left-hander didn't appear to look much different from last year. Not really bigger, nor thinner. 

But as camp evaluations were done, Lodolo proved he was much stronger while breaking his personal bests during strength testing. Whether it was his jumping or grip strength, the offseason work he put in showed.

“I’m in the best spot I’ve ever been coming into camp," Lodolo said. "I feel the best. I’m excited for it. I think it’s going to help me a lot.”

The Reds' 2019 first-round Draft pick (seventh overall), Lodolo is now 27 and has a résumé that's checkered with some impressive starts but also less-than-stellar outings affected by injuries. He's spent more days on the IL than healthy.

• In 2022, a lower back strain forced Lodolo out for more than two months.

• His 2023 season was limited to seven starts because of a stress fracture in his left tibia. It was an issue that carried into 2024 Spring Training.

• In 2024, Lodolo had four stints on the IL for a left calf injury, a left groin strain, a left index finger blister and a left middle finger sprain. He was limited to 21 starts.

Overall last season, Lodolo was 9-6 with a 4.76 ERA, and his 115 1/3 innings were a career high. 

"I’ll be honest. I was training like a Sunday leaguer because I couldn’t move and I was expecting to be a Major League pitcher," Lodolo said. "This offseason, I put in the work. I was moving, getting stronger and building the base. As we get deeper into the season, that base will carry me through the whole time.”

With a big sweeping curveball against right-handed hitters that makes him one of the tougher lefties to face in baseball, Lodolo was Cincinnati's best starter for much of the first half last season. Through 11 starts, he was 8-2 with a 2.76 ERA, 51 hits, 15 walks, 70 strikeouts and six home runs allowed over 65 1/3 innings. 

The blister knocked Lodolo out early from his June 23 start vs. the Red Sox and halted a five-start win streak. For the final 10 starts of the year, he was 1-4 with a 7.38 ERA, 50 hits, 22 walks, 52 strikeouts and seven homers over 50 innings.

“The first half I was happy with. Second half, I was really frustrated," he said. "One start good, and the next one was really bad. I just couldn’t get into a rhythm there. A lot of that too was I didn’t train the whole offseason, basically. I just ran out of steam. I’m excited about where I’m at now.”

Lodolo went home to Texas for the offseason and was able to have a normal throwing program that began in October. He came to camp without limitations.

As for the problematic blister, Lodolo used a metal file on his index finger each day over the winter to toughen the skin.

"It was nice to go into [this past offseason] relatively healthy and build a foundation that can get me through the year," Lodolo said. "It’s just to make myself more durable. Not that I don’t think I’m durable. I just want to put myself in the best spot to take the ball every five days and put together a full season.”

Reds manager Terry Francona was with the Guardians in 2022 when he first got eyes on Lodolo in a Cactus League game. 

"I was like, ‘Holy [cow]. He looks the part.’ It’s a 6-6 lefty," Francona said. "He’s worked hard this winter. He had a good offseason because he could actually do some stuff that he couldn’t do before. That will help with getting deeper into games, stamina. Hopefully it keeps him healthy. If he stays on the mound, he’s going to be exciting.”

The Reds beefed up their rotation in the offseason by retaining free agent Nick Martinez and trading for Brady Singer from the Royals. With Hunter Greene also locked into a spot, competition for the final two rotation spots is tight. Lodolo is in the mix among Andrew Abbott, Rhett Lowder, Graham Ashcraft and Carson Spiers. 

“We’ve got a lot of depth. As we’ve seen, we’re going to need it," Lodolo said. "Things happen during the year, whether you like it or not. Competition is always good. I think it brings out the best in everybody. I’m here to compete as well. I think I’ve put myself in a good spot. I know I will be ready to roll.”

One of the most versatile players on the Reds, Spencer Steer is likely to be limited to designated-hitter duties in early Cactus League games. Steer dealt with right shoulder soreness last season and is still trying to build strength.

Steer still played 158 games last season and 156 in 2023. In '24, he batted .225 with a .721 OPS with 20 home runs and 92 RBIs. He played five positions with starts at four of them: left field, right field, first base and second base.

“So far, the conclusions we have come to are when he does start playing, it will be first base and left field," Francona said. "We’re going to be cognizant of not trying to put him in different positions ... I don’t think that will be helpful to him. This kid gets after it. The fact he can do all that stuff is really encouraging. I think we just need to be a little patient."

If Steer is not limited with his throwing, his opening the season as Cincinnati's first baseman appears more than possible. 

“Sure. But in fairness to him, we just want to let him get a good base under him so when he does play, it’s not one day in and one day out or something," Francona said.

• Francona and Elly De La Cruz are already bonding well

• Singer brings experience of heavy workloads and more

• A new setting but the same outlook for Francona

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