Abbott in good spirits after delayed spring debut: 'I feel ready'
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GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- His pitching line wasn't loaded with zeros, but that wasn't Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott's concern about his Cactus League debut vs. the Guardians on Monday.
"I didn¡¯t expect to be crisp," Abbott said. "I just really wanted to come out and pound the zone, make sure we¡¯re strong and healthy and check those boxes and try to move on to the next one."
Seeking to show he is physically capable of opening the regular season on time, the left-hander completed three innings and allowed two earned runs, three hits and a walk with two strikeouts. He threw 48 pitches with 29 strikes in a 3-0 loss to Cleveland.
"I feel ready. I think today was a great step," Abbott said. "I was able to go three up-downs. The next one will be four. Just keep plugging away and stay healthy."
Because he missed the final six weeks of last season with a left shoulder strain, Abbott came into spring on a slower throwing progression. He didn't get into a game of any kind until Wednesday, when he threw two scoreless innings in a Triple-A game on a practice field.
On Monday, Guardians hitters rallied quickly in the bottom of the first inning, as Steven Kwan led off with a walk and Lane Thomas hit a one-out infield single. Carlos Santana drove in both runners with a double to the wall in left-center field.
"I felt location was great on pretty much all the pitches," Abbott said. "Santana hit a slider in the zone off me, that¡¯s going to happen. But I think the biggest thing coming out of there is not going in expecting to be 100 percent of who I¡¯m going to be in the season, being the first time against hitters."
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The Reds would like for Abbott to be able to work at least five innings to feel comfortable with having him in the rotation's fifth spot to begin the season. He feels as if that is in the realm of possibility.
"Absolutely," he said. "Personally, I always want to think that because it gets my mindset in the right frame of mind. But we don¡¯t know for sure. I haven¡¯t been informed of anything concrete yet, so [I'll] just keep coming to the ballpark each day and keep working until a decision is made on that.¡±
If Abbott isn't deemed ready, the club could pivot to either of their right-handers, Carson Spiers or Graham Ashcraft.
"We¡¯ve been really forthright about Abbott," manager Terry Francona said. "We want to be fair to him and his progression and you just hope there¡¯s not a hiccup somewhere because if there is, it just backs it up a little bit and then you¡¯ve got to make an adjustment. The good news is he¡¯s feeling really good. That¡¯s what we¡¯re really shooting for.¡±
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Spiers sharp in latest outing
Spiers followed Abbott in Monday night's game and pitched five innings, allowing one earned run on one hit, with two walks and two strikeouts, logging 60 pitches (39 strikes). There were two outs in the seventh inning when a first-pitch fastball was crushed for a solo home run by Austin Hedges.
"You know what? This kid has had a heck of a camp. He¡¯s filling up the strike zone and changes speed," Francona said of Spiers' spring. "I don¡¯t know him as well as the rest of these guys do, but he¡¯s handled himself really well.¡±
In three Cactus League games, Spiers has a 2.70 ERA. He also pitched four innings in a Minor League game last week.
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Worth noting
? Infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer, who has not appeared in a game since getting a March 1 cortisone shot in his right shoulder, is scheduled to resume throwing on Tuesday. Francona is still holding out hope that Steer could avoid the injured list to begin the regular season.
? Closer Alexis D¨ªaz is slated to pitch in a Minor League game on Tuesday. D¨ªaz had a rough performance his last time out on Saturday against the Royals when he gave up five earned runs, three hits and three walks over one-third of an inning.
? Lefty reliever Alex Young, who was reassigned to the Minor League camp on Sunday, is scheduled to have his elbow examined by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tim Kremchek for a second opinion. Young, who hadn't pitched since March 8, could need Tommy John surgery.