Nick Lodolo Scratched From Reds Start Due to Illness

The Cincinnati Reds hit a snag Tuesday night. Lefty Nick Lodolo was scratched from his start against the Toronto Blue Jays because he got sick.

That forced reliever Scott Barlow into his first career start. Things got messy fast, and the Reds fell behind early.

Even with a late push, Cincinnati couldn’t dig out of the hole. They lost 12-9 to the AL East-leading Blue Jays.

This loss stings, especially with the Reds chasing the final National League wild card spot. There’s a huge series with the New York Mets coming up this weekend, and the pressure’s on.

Nick Lodolo’s Absence Leaves a Void

Lodolo’s been a steady presence for Cincinnati all year. Losing him at the last minute really hurt their chances.

The 27-year-old southpaw has gone 8-7 with a 3.22 ERA over 24 starts and 134 1/3 innings. He’s been the kind of guy you want on the mound when games matter.

He had just come back from a blister on his pitching hand. In his last outing against the Dodgers, he allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings, still searching for his best stuff.

Missing him now—right before a crucial stretch—just piles on the stress for the Reds’ pitching staff.

Scott Barlow’s Tough Spot Start

Barlow got thrown into the fire with almost no warning. It didn’t go well.

He gave up four earned runs in just one inning, and the bullpen had to scramble. Toronto jumped out early, and Cincinnati was chasing all night.

Reds’ Roster Shuffle

With Lodolo out and the bullpen stretched, the Reds had to shake up the roster. They called up left-hander Reiver Sanmartin from Triple-A Louisville for extra pitching help.

• Left-hander Sam Moll was optioned to Louisville.
• Lefty Joe La Sorsa was designated for assignment.

It really shows how tight things have gotten for Cincinnati’s staff. Injuries, illnesses, and rough outings have forced manager David Bell to get creative just to keep the team in the mix.

An Offensive Push Too Late

The Reds’ bats didn’t quit. They launched a late rally and put up nine runs.

Still, it wasn’t enough to catch Toronto. Scoring nine on a top AL team does remind you this lineup can do damage, even when the pitching isn’t there.

Playoff Picture and What’s Next

Before Tuesday’s game, Cincinnati trailed the Mets by four games for the last NL wild card. Now, the upcoming three-game set against New York feels massive.

If they can take the series, the Reds close the gap and maybe grab some momentum for the stretch run. But if the pitching struggles again, the climb gets steeper—maybe too steep.

Toronto Series Recap

The Reds actually started this series on a high note Monday night. Noelvi Marte delivered a two-run, walk-off single for a dramatic 5-4 win that kept playoff hopes alive.

But Tuesday was a different story. Toronto’s offense jumped all over Cincinnati, and the Reds couldn’t keep up.

Final Thoughts

Lodolo’s sudden illness hit at a rough time for a Reds team still clinging to playoff hopes. His return matters—a lot—if Cincinnati wants to stay in the chase.

The offense has proved it can put runs on the board. But if the starters can’t go deep, the bullpen might get stretched thin, and honestly, that could spell trouble for their postseason dreams.

Now, the crucial series against the Mets feels like a real make-or-break moment. Is this the turning point for the season’s journey?

 
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