The Cincinnati Reds' 2026 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, and unfortunately, it's been more of a downhill plunge before the MLB All-Star break. Injuries have plagued the team, creating a significant hurdle in their quest for success.
Take reliever Tony Santillan, for example. Just as he was gaining momentum, an oblique strain sidelined him, potentially for the long haul. And then there's starter Nick Lodolo, who was on track for a standout performance against the Milwaukee Brewers until a comebacker struck his wrist, altering the course of the game.
Despite the swelling and concern that followed, Lodolo's ability to finish the inning was a testament to his grit. Thankfully, it seems the Reds have dodged a bullet with Lodolo, as Reds manager Terry Francona shared some optimistic news: “He’s good. He turned a good corner yesterday.”
This is a sigh of relief for a team that has struggled to keep its starting rotation intact, a rotation that was supposed to be the backbone of their campaign. Lodolo's anticipated return to the mound on Monday against the Brewers is a beacon of hope for the Reds, who are desperately clinging to the possibility of snagging the final Wild Card spot. If they’re to mount a second-half comeback, Lodolo will be a key player in that narrative.
Adding to the potential upswing is the expected return of flamethrower Hunter Greene. Fans are eager to see Greene, Lodolo, Chase Burns, and Andrew Abbott all healthy and firing on all cylinders. While some might argue the season is already slipping away, this formidable rotation offers a glimmer of hope, especially if the front office opts against being sellers at the trade deadline.
The future in Cincinnati remains a big question mark. As the season progresses, the roster could undergo significant changes. But for now, the Reds are hoping for a bit of good fortune to counterbalance the injury woes that have been their constant companion.
In Other News...
The Reds Draft Regret That Keeps Looking More Brutal
The 2022 draft still looks like a pivot point for Cincinnati, especially when you line up the Reds early picks against how the board turned out. The club came away with Cam Collier, Sal Stewart and Logan Tanner, a group that at the time represented a mix of upside and organizational need, but the conversation around that class has only gotten louder as the years have passed.
Logan Tanners path has been the hardest to read, with his development stalling before he could get beyond High-A and the organization eventually shifting him from catcher to pitcher. He has yet to make that first mound appearance after landing on the 60-day injured list in March, while the arm the Reds let go elsewhere has surged into one of the most compelling starting pitchers in the league and a legitimate Cy Young threat. [Read more 🡒]
Emilio Pagan Is Suddenly At Center Of The Reds Bullpen Tension
Emilio Pagan took another step toward rejoining the Reds on his rehab assignment, working a clean inning in just nine pitches in his second outing. The right-handers brief tune-up comes at a time when Cincinnatis bullpen has been stretched in several directions, with Graham Ashcraft and Tony Santillan on the injured list and Pierce Johnson and Julian Garcia only recently back in the mix.
For a group already juggling late-inning roles and fresh arms, Pagans progress matters even more because the Reds have had to absorb other hits around the roster as well, from Eugenio Suarez leaving after being hit by a pitch to Blake Dunn going on the injured list and KeBryan Hayes continuing his rehab work. The next question is how soon the club decides it has seen enough from Pagan, and what move follows when the bullpen finally gets one more experienced option back in the door. [Read more 🡒]
Reds Let Another Winnable Game Slip As Brewers Pressure Builds
The Reds had another chance to steady themselves Sunday in Pittsburgh, but the series finale slipped away early and never really came back. Brady Singer took the ball after showing some recent promise, yet the second inning turned into another reminder of the volatility that has followed him at times this season, and Cincinnati was left chasing a 9-4 loss at PNC Park.
Tyler Callihans three-run homer put the Pirates in control, and the Reds could not answer enough to change the feel of the afternoon. A rain delay only added to the frustration, as Pittsburgh came back out and kept widening the gap, leaving Cincinnati at 39-43 and still searching for a way to stop these winnable games from getting away. [Read more 🡒]