GOODYEAR, Arizona – Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott feels healthy and has progressed in his throwing program to his first spring training live batting practice session — the final step before being scheduled for exhibition games.
But whether he has enough time left in camp to be ready to join the season-opening rotation in the days after the Reds’ March 27 opener is at least questionable at this point.
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And that could open up an even bigger question for how the Reds fill the back of the rotation as the season opens, especially with impressive rookie Rhett Lowder likely delayed as he returns from an elbow issue.
Andrew Abbott has advanced his delayed throwing program to his first spring training live batting practice session, the next step on the way to pitching in exhibition games.
The desirable first option would be to slot Abbott in the fifth spot in the rotation for a season debut against the Texas Rangers on April 1 or 2, behind Hunter Greene, Nick Martinez, Brady Singer and Nick Lodolo.
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“It all depends on when they put me in games, how many innings they’re going to let me throw – a lot of factors that I don’t really know until I show up that day and they say, ‘you’ve got this’ or ‘you’ve got that’ today.
“I can’t control it, so there’s no need to really stress about it or try to make a push to do something. Just try to be smart as possible so we’re healthy the entire season.”
Abbott, a fixture in the rotation from the day he broke into the majors in June 2023 until a shoulder impingement put him on the injured list the final six weeks of last season, has been on a slower, more deliberate buildup schedule this spring as a precaution coming off last year’s injury.
Then a flu bug going through the clubhouse that manager Terry Francona described as “intestinal turmoil” sidelined him for two days and further delayed his program.
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“That was a tough couple of days, but I feel better about that definitely,” said Abbott, who also said the shoulder is responding well.
Francona isn’t ready to rule out Abbott from the opening rotation, but without the typical generous dose of early-season off days, there’s little maneuverability to get creative with a later on-time start.
“Me and D.J. were talking about that (Thursday),” Francona said, referring to pitching coach Derek Johnson. “Realistically, there’s no way you get him out to, like, 100 pitches (before the end of Cactus League play). But can he get out to five innings?
“I don’t want to put the cart ahead of the horse. … What’s more important is just him staying on the progression he is and feeling good.”
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Francona wouldn’t single out any potential candidates to backfill if Abbott isn’t ready to go.
Reds manager Terry Francona wouldn’t name possibilities for who could fill Andrew Abbott’s spot in the rotation, but Graham Ashcraft (pictured) has pitched well in his first two appearances.
But Graham Ashcraft, who lost his rotation spot midseason last year before an elbow strain ended his season, has looked effective in two spring starts. Originally looking more like a bullpen candidate for possible leverage work, he could be a strong backfill option.
Right-hander Carson Spiers, who looked good during an injury fill-in stretch in the rotation last year, and prospect Chase Petty could also be in that mix.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds’ Andrew Abbott might not be ready to open season on time