4 Reds players whose healthy return in 2025 will be crucial to Cincinnati’s success
Injuries are part of the game — any fan who’s ever watched sports knows that. But my goodness, the number of injuries the Cincinnati Reds endured in 2024 was obscene. The team’s top two players from 2023 were placed on the IL prior to Opening Day, and the Reds starting rotation became unrecognizable down the stretch.
The Reds depth was tested last season. That statement becomes even more obvious when fans are reminded that no-names and retreads like Evan Kravetz, Levi Jordan, and David Buchanan were called upon at various points during the 2024 campaign.
New manager Terry Francona needs his best players on the field next season in order to find success during his first year with the Reds. Which injured player’s healthy return is crucial to the team’s prosperity in 2025?
Nick Lodolo, Reds pitcher
Nick Lodolo has the ability to be a frontline starter in the league. With all things being equal, Lodolo could make the case to be Cincinnati’s best starting pitcher. But that mantle currently belongs to Hunter Greene, primarily due to the fact that Lodolo can’t stay on the field.
Though he started a career-high 21 games and logged a career-best 115 ⅓ innings, that’s not good enough. Lodolo made four separate trips to the injured list in 2024. If the lefty is unable to stay healthy in 2025, Cincinnati may have no choice but to move him into a relief role.
Matt McLain, Reds infielder
Matt McLain didn’t set foot onto a Major League field in 2024, and his absence was palpable. The Reds’ best player from 2023, McLain underwent shoulder surgery prior to Opening Day and injured his oblique during a rehab stint. McLain’s entire sophomore season was wiped out.
Trading Jonathan India to the Kansas City Royals has provided McLain a clear path to take over at second base in 2025. The Reds desperately need McLain on the field to help balance out the lineup and provide top-tier defense at the keystone.
Jeimer Candelario, Reds infielder
Jeimer Candelario put together a two-month stretch where he was arguably the Reds’ best player in 2024. The switch-hitting infielder posted an .828 OPS with 11 homers and 30 RBI during the months of May and June. But lower leg injuries crippled Candelario over the final few months of his first year with the Reds.
Candelario hit just .194/.246/.348 over his final 40 games and wound up on the IL in late-August. Given Noelvi Marte’s struggles last season, Candelario is the odds-on favorite to open the season at third base for the Reds. Cincinnati needs Candelario return to form and justify the $45 million contract he signed just last year.
TJ Friedl, Reds outfielder
TJ Friedl put forth a gutty performance in 2024, but it’s honestly rather surprising to see how badly the Reds’ centerfielder struggled when see the numbers. Friedl hit just .226/.310/.380 and saw his OPS+ drop from 117 in 2023 to 88 in 2024.
Injuries played a major role in Friedl’s struggles. It seemed like every time the 29-year-old began to heat up, the injury bug would bite. Friedl made three trips to the IL last season, and the hamstring injury he endured in June haunted him for the remainder of the season. A healthy version of Captain Chaos is necessary for the Reds to find success in 2025
