Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo will begin the season on the injured list due to a blister on his left index finger, manager Terry Francona announced. The 28-year-old exited his final spring start after just 10 pitches when the blister flared up, marking another recurrence of the issue that plagued him in each of the past two seasons.

Francona explained the cautious approach, noting that rushing Lodolo back could turn a brief absence into a month-long stint on the IL. "If he misses a couple of starts, that's a heck of a lot better than a month," the manager said. Lodolo expressed disappointment but acknowledged the decision could benefit him long-term.

Lodolo's absence compounds Cincinnati's pitching woes, as the Reds will also be without Hunter Greene for the first four months following elbow surgery. Last season, Lodolo posted a 3.33 ERA with 156 strikeouts in 156 2/3 innings. The rotation now relies on Andrew Abbott to start Opening Day against the Boston Red Sox, with Brady Singer, Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, and Brandon Williamson filling other spots as Cincinnati attempts to build on last year's playoff appearance.