Cincinnati Reds Roster
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Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (groin) was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left-groin strain on Wednesday. Lodolo last pitched on Saturday in a loss to the San Francisco Giants, when he allowed four earned runs on five hits in six innings. He felt the injury following a side bullpen session before that appearance. Over six starts in 2024, Lodolo has gone 3-2 with a solid 3.34 ERA and 0.94 WHIP while striking out 43 with nine walks in 35 innings. It's not considered a major injury, but the Reds wanted to put him on the IL as a precaution, especially since he made just seven starts in 2023 with a stress fracture in his left tibia. Fantasy managers should keep the former first-rounder stashed in all fantasy formats for his high-strikeout upside. The Reds haven't named a replacement for Lodolo's start on Thursday against the Dodgers, but swingman Nick Martinez is expected to get "significant innings" on Thursday, according to manager David Bell.
Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (head) was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks due to a migraine headache. With India out of the lineup, Spencer Steer will move to second base and bat cleanup, while Jacob Hurtubise will play left field and hit in the nine-hole against Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt. Fantasy mangers should consider India day-to-day for now. It remains to be seen if he'll be feeling good enough to return for Thursday's series opener in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. The 27-year-old former Rookie of the Year is hitting just .228 (31-for-136) on the year but is playing everyday with Matt McLain (shoulder) sidelined for the foreseeable future. Steer is hitting 6-for-17 (.353) with two doubles and six RBI during his current five-game hitting streak.
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz will retreat to the bench on Wednesday for the series finale on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This will be the first time that De La Cruz will take a day off. He's slowed down offensive since the calendar flipped to May, going 10-for-46 (.217) with a homer, two RBI, eight stolen bases and 18 strikeouts in 12 games played. Despite the recent slump so far in May, De La Cruz is a must-start in all fantasy formats when he's active, as he currently leads all of baseball with 26 stolen bases in just 42 games played, and he also has nine home runs and 21 RBI. Santiago Espinal is starting at the 6 and is hitting eighth in place of De La Cruz on Wednesday against Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt.
The Cincinnati Reds placed left-hander Nick Lodolo (groin) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 12) on Wednesday with a left-groin strain and recalled left-hander Sam Moll from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Lodolo got a late start to the 2024 season due to an injury dating back to last year and now finds himself back on the injured list after making six starts. The 26-year-old southpaw and former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Christian University was solid in his six starts, though, posting a 3.34 ERA (2.90 FIP) and 0.94 WHIP with nine walks and 43 strikeouts in 35 innings. Given Lodolo's high strikeout upside, fantasy managers will want to keep him stashed in an IL spot while he recovers from his groin strain. In the meantime, swingman Nick Martinez figures to benefit the most from a secured rotation spot for at least the next two weeks.
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson went 1-for-4 with a home run in Tuesday's victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Benson's homer would come with one runner on and would break a 2-2 tie in the top of the fifth inning to be the eventual game-winning hit. Benson was a hot name heading into the season, but has struggled with a .193 batting average. That being said, he has shown some power with five longballs and 13 RBI. He has also been productive on the basepaths with 8 stolen bases. With TJ Friedl (thumb) landing back on the 10-day injured list, Benson's playing time remains safe. Although he hasn't been helping with batting average, Benson has shown the power and speed that makes him worth rostering in deeper mixed leagues.