(Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

The Cincinnati Reds were probably hoping to ease Nick Lodolo back into action after the left-hander missed the start of the season with a blister on his left index finger.

Instead, Lodolo will be asked to help snap Cincinnati's seven-game losing streak when he takes the mound against the visiting Houston Astros on Friday.

The Reds are limping into the three-game series after being swept in four games by the Chicago Cubs. Cincinnati has lost eight of its past nine games to fall into last place in the National League Central.

'It's a long season, and I know a lot of people say that,' Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson said. 'And sometimes when things aren't going well, it seems like nothing goes well during those stretches. But we've got to just regroup. We've just got to continue to battle and do what we do.'

Houston had an off day on Thursday after losing two of three at home to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Reds are hoping Lodolo can provide a boost to an injury-plagued rotation. Rhett Lowder exited Cincinnati's 8-3 loss on Thursday due to right shoulder discomfort, and he could join Hunter Greene (bone chips in right elbow) and Brandon Williamson (left shoulder fatigue) on the injured list.

Lodolo, 28, is making his season debut after going 9-8 with a 3.33 ERA last season in 29 games (28 starts). He is making his first career appearance against Houston.

'I'm really excited,' Lodolo said. 'I've just been kind of sitting here, trying to truck along slowly. I'm excited to get back in, get out there and compete and just be a part of it with the boys.'

The Astros will counter with right-hander Mike Burrows (1-4, 5.97 ERA), who allowed three runs over six innings in a 3-1 road loss to the Boston Red Sox on May 1.

Burrows, 26, has given up three runs or fewer in four of his first seven outings, but the Astros have gone 1-6 in his starts.

'It's a humbling game,' Burrows said. 'You can do everything right and still, stuff happens.'

Burrows is set to make his second career start against Cincinnati. He allowed four runs over five innings as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates in a no-decision vs. the Reds on Aug. 10, 2025.

The Astros are still processing the news that infielder Carlos Correa will have season-ending surgery to repair a tendon in his left ankle. He sustained the injury in the batting cage on Tuesday.

'Pretty devastating,' Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. said. 'Such a big part of our clubhouse, team leader, such a great player. All the stuff he went through early in his career with the other ankle and just the way he's been able to continue to fight back and these last few years really post and be healthy -- he's a special, special talent, and I feel awful for him.'

Isaac Paredes will receive regular playing time at third base with Correa sidelined, and shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) is set to rejoin the lineup next week.

Paredes has hit safely in 13 of his past 16 games dating back to April 19, a span in which he is batting .345 (20-for-58) with three homers and nine RBIs. He has reached base safely in 11 consecutive games.

--Field Level Media