Nick Lodolo's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (leg) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session in camp on Thursday, which could be an important step as he tries to get ready for Opening Day in late March. "If today goes well, he's going to be in good shape. More importantly, if he wakes up tomorrow and feels good. Tomorrow might be a better day to talk about it," manager David Bell said. The 26-year-old southpaw is behind the other pitchers this spring after missing most of 2023 due to a stress reaction in his left tibia, but he's making progress and is worth a late-round flier in mixed fantasy leagues for his strikeout upside. The former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of TCU struggled in his seven starts last year before being shut down, allowing 24 earned runs in 34 1/3 innings, but he did strike out 47 hitters.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) is to be scheduled for his first Cactus League start "within the next week," according to manager David Bell. Meanwhile, left-hander Nick Lodolo's (leg) spring training debut would be a bit behind Ashcraft's. The 26-year-old Ashcraft is returning from surgery on his right big toe last September and is being slow-played in spring training. He has already faced hitters in camp, though, and barring a setback with his toe once he starts pitching in Cactus League games, he should open the 2024 season in the Reds' starting rotation. However, his lack of strikeout upside is a hindrance to his fantasy relevance in mixed leagues. Lodolo, who made only seven starts in 2023 due to a stress reaction in his tibia, has much more fantasy appeal for his high-strikeout upside, but he's also more of an injury risk.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that left-hander Nick Lodolo's (leg) next step at spring training is to throw a live batting practice session. "He's feeling great," Bell said. Lodolo made just seven starts in 2023 due to a stress reaction in his left tibia, which is why the Reds are slow-playing him in spring training. But the 26-year-old is now pain-free and is slowly progressing. Barring a setback, he is expected to be part of the team's starting rotation on Opening Day late in March. Before his injury last year, Lodolo was hurt by the long ball. The former seventh overall pick had a strikeout rate close to 30 percent, though, and there's still a lot to like about him in the long term. However, coming off his lost season, fantasy managers should consider him nothing more than rotation depth in deep-mixed leagues in 2024.

Cincinnati Reds pitchers Emilio Pagan (sports hernia surgery) and Nick Lodolo (tibia) are both throwing bullpens as Spring Training gets underway, manager David Bell told the media on Saturday. Pagan pitched great as a Minnesota Twin last year, posting a 3.27 FIP, 8.44 K/9, 2.73 BB/9, and 0.65 HR/9. He was also a source of reliability in the Twins' bullpen, tossing 69.1 innings over 66 games, which was just one appearance shy of his career high. Bell did note that Pagan won't be ready for the Reds' opening Spring Training games, but it sounds like he continues to trend in the direction with 26-man roster decisions still more than one month away. Lodolo is also making significant progress, with Bell noting that his bullpen session on Saturday "will shape [the] next steps" in his rehab process. The former first-round pick managed to make just seven starts amidst injuries last year, posting a 5.79 FIP but maintaining a promising 12.32 K/9 and 2.62 BB/9. Assuming he doesn't face any setbacks over the next couple of weeks, Lodolo figures to be ready for Opening Day, too.