Abbott pleased with debut spring outing in Minor League game

GOODYEAR, Ariz. ¨C In an important step in his effort to be ready for the regular season, Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott worked in his first game action of Spring Training on Wednesday.

Starting in a Triple-A game vs. the Padres, Abbott pitched two innings with a strikeout. He retired the first six batters. To raise his pitch count, the malleable practice field rules enabled him to face a fourth batter in the second inning, whom the left-hander walked.

¡°Encouraged with the results, throwing strikes, living on the edges and everything spinning well," Abbott said. "There was positive feedback with the balls in the play, all that stuff you see as a pitcher. Just encouraged by the first step. I feel good. Come tomorrow, we¡¯ll figure out if I can go three [innings] the next time and start building up from there.¡±

Because he missed the final six weeks of the 2024 season with a left shoulder strain, Abbott was put on a slower throwing progression during camp, which delayed him getting into games. Throughout spring, he has shown no signs of setbacks or injury issues.

Abbott threw 31 pitches in the outing and picked up three groundouts, two flyouts and a called strike three. He threw an additional 11 pitches in the bullpen.

According to the complex Trackman, Abbott's fastball sat in the 92-93 mph range.

¡°That¡¯s fine with me," Abbott said. "I was 90-91 mph in the live BPs, so that¡¯s a positive next step. And it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve faced hitters ¨C other than the lives ¨C in actual game situations since August of last year. That¡¯s really good for me. I feel really confident with it, with what we¡¯ve done in the training room, what we¡¯ve done in the strength room and just overall. Just really positive so far.¡±

Abbott, 25, was 10-10 with a 3.72 ERA in 25 starts and 138 innings for the Reds last season.

With just over two weeks before camp breaks, the time will be spent by manager Terry Francona, pitching coach Derek Johnson and the front office trying to determine who should get Cincinnati's final rotation spot. Hunter Greene, Nick Martinez, Brady Singer and Nick Lodolo have already secured the first four spots.

Ideally, the club would like to see Abbott get stretched out to at least five innings before his debut in the regular season. Because of an off-day on March 28, the Reds may not need a fifth starter the first time through the rotation. After that, however, they are scheduled to play a game on 12 consecutive days.

The Reds also have Graham Ashcraft and Carson Spiers remaining as rotation candidates. Ashcraft, who pitched four innings in his previous outing, is scheduled to start vs. the White Sox on Friday. Spiers, who has pitched in two Cactus League games already, followed Abbott in Wednesday's Minor League game.

¡°I always want to say that I will be ready. That¡¯s what I¡¯m living by," Abbott said. "I want to show them that I am ready. It¡¯s also a decision that D.J. and Tito make that¡¯s best for the team in that situation. I¡¯m on board for it. I know they like me, they like how I pitch and whatnot. I don¡¯t have any worries, no anxiety about that stuff. I just have to show I¡¯m ready out here, start by start and just let the cards fall where they may.¡±