Nick Lodolo is taking a hands-on approach — literally — to keeping himself on the mound. The Reds left-hander has modified his breaking ball grip in response to recurring blister injuries that have knocked him off his routine multiple times this season. The adjustment, confirmed by multiple sources including Cincinnati Reds Media Relations and Charlie's Chalkboard, represents Lodolo's clearest effort yet to solve a problem that has dogged him through 2026.
Lodolo Modifies Breaking Ball Grip After Repeated Blister Injuries
Blisters and pitchers have a long, painful history, and Lodolo has not been immune. The repeated flare-ups have forced the young left-hander into a frustrating cycle of disruption, and the grip change is his direct response to that pattern. Rather than waiting for the problem to resolve itself, Lodolo has made a mechanical adjustment at the point of contact — how he holds and releases his breaking ball — to reduce the friction and pressure that contribute to blister formation.
What the Grip Change Means Going Forward
This is not a minor tweak. Adjusting a breaking ball grip can affect movement, velocity, and command, meaning Lodolo is not just managing a health issue — he is doing it while potentially reshaping a key weapon in his arsenal. How the modified grip holds up under game conditions will be one of the more important development stories on the Cincinnati pitching staff as the 2026 season moves toward its final weeks.
What We Know
- Lodolo has experienced repeated blister injuries affecting his availability in 2026.
- He has modified his breaking ball grip specifically to address and prevent those injuries.
- The development has been confirmed by multiple sources including Cincinnati Reds Media Relations and Charlie's Chalkboard.
- The adjustment is a health-driven mechanical change, not a performance-driven one.
The Reds need Lodolo healthy and effective. Whether this grip modification delivers both answers will become clear on the mound in the weeks ahead.
