The Reds are getting closer to a boost on the mound, and two left-handers are moving through the final steps of their rehabs.
According to Charlie Goldsmith of Charlie's Chalkboard, Nick Lodolo is set to throw 60 to 65 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. Brandon Williamson is lined up for a Triple-A start on Thursday as both pitchers continue working back toward the major league club.
Williamson already took a step forward on Saturday, when he worked two innings in a rehab start for Double-A Chattanooga. He allowed one run on no hits, but also issued two walks and hit a batter. The lefty struck out three and threw 22 of his 39 pitches for strikes before coming out of the game.
Lodolo’s road back has been shaped by a blister issue that has lingered for a long time, and both he and the organization believe it stems from the way he grips his slider. Because of that, Lodolo has finally changed his grip in an effort to stay healthy.
He tested it out in three innings of live batting practice on Friday and came away encouraged.
"3 ups, I think I threw like 50 pitches," Lodolo told The Cincinnati Enquirer. "Definitely a win for the day.
I don't know what is next. Hopefully rehab, but we will figure that out."
"It feels good. I threw a good amount of them. It's definitely something I am excited about and we will see how it plays."
Wednesday will mark the first time Lodolo uses the new pitch in game action, which brings a very different kind of pressure than live batting practice.
"I threw a lot of them for strikes. I was really happy about that, but like I said, live BP is BP versus a game."
If that outing goes well, Lodolo could need one more rehab start before the Reds make a decision on activating him from the injured list.
Cincinnati beat the Pirates in the first two games of the series, but Saturday night brought a 4-1 loss. The offense managed only three hits.
On Sunday, the Reds will hand the ball to All-Star Chase Burns.
Burns has been outstanding for most of the season, but he is coming off one of his roughest outings. The right-hander gave up five runs in five innings in a loss to the Cleveland Guardians. He also faced the Pirates in late June and allowed five runs over six innings.
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