Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona made sure to highlight a key name during his conversation about the team’s offseason progress. As Reds President of Baseball Operations, Nick Krall, was talking about the players who showed up to Goodyear looking especially fit, Francona interrupted with enthusiasm to make sure 27-year-old left-handed pitcher Nick Lodolo was part of the discussion. Krall quickly backed him up, repeating Lodolo’s name to further emphasize the pitcher’s hard work. Francona, in his first year as manager of the Reds, made it clear that the offseason progress of Lodolo was something that stood out.
"He’s worked hard this winter," Francona said on Saturday. "He had a good offseason because he could actually do some stuff that he couldn’t do before. So, I think that’s going to help him get deeper in games, his stamina. Hopefully, it keeps him healthy because if he stays on the mound, he’s going to be exciting."
Staying healthy has been the major obstacle for Lodolo over the past few seasons. In 2024, he finished with a respectable 9-6 record, a 4.76 ERA, and 122 strikeouts over 115 1/3 innings. However, injuries have consistently plagued him, limiting his potential. From stress reactions to sprained fingers, Lodolo’s journey has been one filled with physical challenges. With a 2023 season nearly wiped out by injury, Lodolo’s ability to stay on the mound has been a question mark, but there's hope that the hard work he’s put in this offseason will change that.
What’s especially exciting about this story is that Lodolo, along with the Reds’ coaching staff, believes that he’s in the best shape of his MLB career. The hope is that this newfound physicality will lead to more durable, consistent starts throughout the 2025 season, a campaign in which many are expecting the Reds to take a significant step forward in the playoff conversation under Francona's leadership.
Francona’s dedication to getting to know his players ahead of his first season in charge led him to travel throughout North and Central America. One of his stops included a visit to the Dallas area to meet with Lodolo. It was during this meeting that Francona witnessed firsthand the remarkable transformation in Lodolo’s body, something that’s now being hailed as a highly successful offseason overhaul. Lodolo wasn’t looking for the spotlight or a pat on the back, but his hard work has clearly paid off.
As Lodolo told The Enquirer, “It’s always nice when someone realizes when you're busting your ass but at the same time, I'm not doing it for someone to tell me that. I'm doing it for the team and myself... I want to see it come to fruition throughout the year.”
The transformation Lodolo went through wasn’t confined to one area of his body but was holistic, targeting his core, legs, and arms. "Core. Legs. Arms. Truly everywhere," he said, detailing the comprehensive nature of his strength-building efforts. In comparison to last year, when he came into camp still dealing with lingering physical questions, this year’s offseason felt like a total reset. He’s now in the best physical shape he’s ever been, claiming to be "by far the strongest I’ve ever been in my career." This newfound strength is more than just a confidence boost—it’s a means to improve his durability, a key factor in his ability to stay healthy and make more starts in 2025.
One of Lodolo’s biggest focuses this season has been building strength. He’s already achieved this goal, though he understands the work must continue. Strength isn’t something you can just "check off" once and be done with it. If you stop, it’s easy to lose progress. So, for Lodolo, the focus now shifts to maintaining and even increasing his strength. It’s a process that requires constant attention, but the results so far have been extremely promising.
Lodolo is not one to make bold predictions about his upcoming season. While his optimism is evident, he’s more focused on controlling what he can right now—ensuring he’s in the best shape possible as he enters spring training. “Right now, the main thing I’m focused on is putting myself in the best spot I’ve been in coming into camp,” Lodolo explained. “I feel like I’ve done that. That was my biggest thing.” For Lodolo, showing up at camp prepared and physically ready was his main priority, and he feels confident that he’s checked that box.
But it doesn’t stop there. Even though Lodolo feels good about where he is, he knows the work is far from over. As he continues through camp and into the season, his mindset will be to keep adding to the foundation he’s built. "You can’t just be like, 'OK, the work’s done,'" Lodolo said. "You have to stay there and keep adding."
The excitement surrounding Lodolo’s 2025 season is palpable. While his health has been a consistent challenge, this offseason overhaul provides a sense of hope that his body will hold up better in the coming months. With Francona at the helm and the Reds eager to make a splash in the postseason race, the spotlight will be on Lodolo as he aims to stay healthy and deliver on his potential. Fans are hoping that Lodolo’s hard work will translate into more dominant performances and an extended stay on the mound, where he can showcase just how far he’s come since last season.
For now, it’s a waiting game, but the signs are incredibly promising. Nick Lodolo’s dedication to his craft, combined with his revamped physique, has many believing that 2025 could be a breakout year for the left-handed starter. It’s a story of resilience, determination, and the type of player development that can turn a good team into a great one. The Reds will need Lodolo throughout the season, and the player himself is ready to prove that his offseason work wasn’t just a flash in the pan—it’s the beginning of a new chapter in his career.
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