Nick Lodolo Exits the Mound Due to Illness; Scott Barlow Takes His Place
CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Reds made an unexpected change to their rotation. Left-handed pitcher Nick Lodolo was removed from his scheduled start for Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays due to an illness.
Instead, Scott Barlow prepares to make his first start in his career. The right-handed pitcher, who is in his first season with Cincinnati, was scheduled for his 68th appearance.
Before Tuesday’s game, the Reds were four games behind the New York Mets in the race for the third National League wild card. The Reds will host the Mets for a three-game series this weekend.
In addition to this change, Cincinnati called up left-handed pitcher Reiver Sanmartin from Triple-A Louisville before the game against Toronto. Sam Moll, also a left-handed pitcher, was sent to Louisville, and Joe La Sorsa, another lefty, was designated for assignment.
Lodolo, 27, has an 8-7 record with a 3.22 ERA in 24 starts (the most in his career) and 134 1/3 innings this season. In his last start, after being affected by a blister on his left hand, he allowed four runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings in the 5-1 loss to the Dodgers last week.
In the first game of the series, Cincinnati defeated Toronto 5-4 on Monday. Noelvi Marte hit a single in the ninth inning to end the game, driving in two runs.
