Starting pitcher Nick Lodolo's latest bout with a finger blister is over and the left-hander will return to the rotation during the Cincinnati Reds upcoming road trip.
Lodolo will start the series opener
against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Tuesday, Aug. 11, Reds manager Terry Francona told reporters.
That date marks exactly one month since Lodolo's last big-league appearance, when he exited in the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park with a finger blister.
Blisters have been the buzzword for Lodolo this year. He missed the first six weeks of the season with a blister and returned for two months (11 starts) until his July setback.
Further adding to the finger friction dilemma was that Lodolo was in the midst of one of his best stretches of his career before returning to the injured list. Over his last four starts, Lodolo permitted just three earned runs over 20 innings, lowering his ERA from 6.12 to 4.60.
Lodolo his hoping a new grip on his curveballwill prevent further blister issues. He threw 50 pitches in a three-inning simulation on the final day of July and tossed 4 ⅓ innings of three-run ball in a rehab start with the Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Reds outfielder Blake Dunn undergoes internal brace surgery
Reds outfielder Blake Dunn underwent season-ending internal brace surgery for his throwing elbow on Monday, Aug. 4.
Dunn suffered the injury in June when he felt a "pop" while firing to home plate against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
Dunn, who started the year in Louisville, earned an everyday workload in the leadoff spot before the injury. Over 38 games, he slashed .282/.335/.387 with 10 extra-base hits, seven RBIs, six stolen bases and 20 runs scored.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Nick Lodolo (blister) set to return to Cincinnati Reds rotation
