Manager David Bell said Lodolo will travel north with the Reds for the start of the season, though he won't necessarily be added to the 40-man roster and 28-man active roster ahead of Thursday's Opening Day game in Atlanta, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The Reds' decision to delay Lodolo's addition to the roster just looks to be procedural, as the 24-year-old lefty won't be needed for his MLB debut until the team requires a fifth starter in its sixth game of the season April 13 against the Guardians in Cincinnati. With Luis Castillo (shoulder) and Mike Minor (shoulder) both set to begin the season on the injured list, Lodolo should have at least a few starts to prove he's worthy of a permanent spot in the rotation once the Reds' pitching staff is back to full strength. After a banner 2021 season that included stops at Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville, Lodolo has continued to shine in the spring with a 2.38 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 12:2 K:BB across 11.1 innings in Cactus League play.