Reds Face Health Hurdles as Playoff Hope Flickers

The Cincinnati Reds finished Friday night with a 4‑2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, marking their third straight victory. Yet behind the celebration, two key pitchers are battling injuries that could change the team's season outlook. Nick Lodolo, a left‑handed starter, has struggled with blisters that have kept him off the mound. During a bullpen session after his latest flare‑up, he tried a new grip on his slider to reduce friction. The change is part of an ongoing experiment aimed at keeping the blister from resurfacing—a problem that has haunted him for years.

Meanwhile, reliever Tony Santillan returned to the lineup after an oblique strain. In his last five outings before the injury, he allowed only one run over 5. 2 innings. He reports feeling ahead of his recovery timeline and is currently pitching from 75 feet on flat ground without issues. A follow‑up scan next Friday could clear him for a heavier workload in the bullpen. With these two players still sidelined, the Reds’ chances of clinching a Wild Card spot are uncertain. They sit six games behind the final National League Wild Card position, and a long stretch of games remains. The front office, led by baseball operations president Nick Krall, plans to review the roster after a weekend series in St. Louis and may consider trades or other moves. Fans can still cheer for the team’s recent win, but the underlying health concerns suggest that staying together may not be enough to secure a postseason berth.

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