Reds flex more potential with Lodolo, Friedl back at full strength

CHICAGO -- Like every team, the Reds have dealt with their fair share of injuries to start the season. But Cincinnati is starting to get healthy, as Nick Lodolo and TJ Friedl were both welcomed back to the roster this past week.

Both players came up big in the Reds’ 5-2 win over the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Sunday afternoon. Lodolo threw six innings of two-run ball, and Friedl launched a three-run home run to help Cincinnati take the series.

“The last [couple of] series, we won the first game and [did] not finish the series,” Lodolo said. “I thought I threw the ball well. TJ’s three-run homer definitely put us in a good spot early. But that’s a huge win.”

Lodolo and Friedl have both spent time on the injured list this season, especially the latter, who has had two different stints on the IL. Friedl first fractured his wrist in Spring Training, which caused him to miss the first 34 games of the season. Then he went back on the IL six days later, on May 13, after fracturing his thumb on a hit-by-pitch.

However, the Reds are extremely happy to have him back in the lineup. He was a key part of Sunday’s win after launching his first home run of the year, a three-run shot to right-center field to extend the team’s lead in the second inning.

“The way he plays the game, it's very consistent with our style of play and what's important to us,” manager David Bell said. “He’s the center of all those things, in the clubhouse, on the field, playing hard and competing and doing all the things that it takes to win. He’s a good player and a winning player.”

Friedl has been unlucky so far in 2024, but he’s hoping that the weird injury bug is past him. The Reds are also hoping that the 28-year-old can stay healthy due to his importance to the lineup.

Last year, Friedl hit .279 with 18 home runs, 66 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. That power/speed combo atop Cincinnati’s lineup will surely be important for the Reds as they attempt to climb up the National League Central standings.

“Anytime you’re out of the lineup, it's tough,” Friedl said. “Coming back for five games and then going back on the injured list, it’s tough. You just want to be out there with your guys. So it just feels good to be back.”

Added Jake Fraley: “He’s the same guy he was last year, and he’s going to continue to go out there and play. It’s awesome to have him back at the top.”

Lodolo is another key piece that the Reds will need to stay healthy. The left-hander just came off the IL on Monday after dealing with a left groin strain for two weeks. He also missed almost all of last season with a left tibia injury and only made seven starts.

When healthy, though, Lodolo has shown his potential in the Reds’ rotation. That was evident in Sunday’s outing, as the southpaw gave up just two runs on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts across six strong innings.

“It’s great having him back,” Bell said. “I think we just keep seeing how good he can be. Our starting pitching is important to us, and today, being able to [go] from Nick Lodolo to get us to Nick Martinez and then to Alexis [Díaz] was perfect.”

Avoiding injuries has been a problem for Lodolo in his short career. But there’s no doubting what he brings to the team when healthy. After his outing on Sunday, Lodolo lowered his season ERA to 3.11. He has also given up two runs or fewer in five of his eight starts in 2024.

“It’s amazing always watching him pitch,” Friedl said. “I love playing center field behind him. All of our pitchers are amazing, but Lodolo, he's a competitor. He's going to go out there, and he's going to give his best every outing.”

Things have not gone according to plan for the Reds to start the year. Even with the series win, Cincinnati still trails the Brewers by 10 games in the NL Central. However, the team likes where it is as a group, especially with both Lodolo and Friedl back from injuries.

“It’s huge,” Lodolo said of Friedl’s impact. “TJ is a big part of this team, especially at the top of the order. When TJ goes, we are going.”