Abbott (shoulder) taking methodical approach to buildup

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- There's a reason that the Reds prioritized having extra rotation depth during the offseason.

That's become clear in the early days of Spring Training, as two rotation candidates are dealing with arm issues. Lefty starter Andrew Abbott came into camp behind the others, as he still is working through the shoulder problem that prematurely ended his 2024 season.

¡°We¡¯re not that far off," Abbott told MLB.com. "Normal offseason, a few hiccups every now and then. I was in contact with them. I told them coming in that it was probably smart to go slower to make sure that we take care of the problem before it becomes an actual problem. They agreed. They¡¯re building it out to what we both believe will be beneficial for us and the team.¡±

Following his Aug. 18 start vs. the Royals, Abbott was placed on the 15-day injured list five days later with a left shoulder strain, and he did not return for the remainder of the season.

Abbott, 25, has been throwing in bullpen sessions since before camp started, but he will likely need one more, possibly two, before he advances to facing hitters in live batting practice or simulated action.

¡°You¡¯re going to see him a little later than the other guys because we need to take care of him," manager Terry Francona said. "We think we can nip something in the bud rather than not do it appropriately. We just want to give him a base where he can go out and log innings.¡±

Abbott is one of eight starters vying for the rotation, with four pitchers likely competing for the final spot. Another contender, Rhett Lowder (Cincinnati¡¯s No. 2 prospect, No. 35 overall, according to MLB Pipeline), is also behind after experiencing right elbow soreness in January. Lowder was cleared to resume throwing from flat ground on Monday.

Also competing for rotation spots are Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft and Carson Spiers. The Reds' rotation got deeper when free agent Nick Martinez accepted their qualifying offer to return and Brady Singer was acquired in a trade from the Royals in November. Hunter Greene is likely at the top of the rotation.

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¡°It¡¯s fantastic," Abbott said. "We had a lot last year, but this year is even more. They¡¯re all quality arms, quality guys. That kind of takes you to the next level, having that competition. You¡¯re getting pushed from being mediocre sometimes to having to be good, you¡¯ve got to be great to you¡¯ve got to be excellent, whatever it may be. It will help us down the stretch for sure.¡±

Being available down the stretch is the next hurdle Abbott needs to clear after two big league seasons. He went 10-10 with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP in 138 innings over 25 starts in 2024. In his final seven starts before he went on the IL, he had a 5.66 ERA while Cincinnati went 2-5 in those games.

In 2023, Abbott threw 163 1/3 innings combined between Double-A Chattanooga, Triple-A Louisville and the big leagues (109 1/3). Because of thinning depth during the Reds¡¯ playoff chase, his performance and durability waned in the closing weeks.

¡°It was a great increase," Abbott said. "It was almost a 30-inning increase in Major League innings from my previous year to last year. That¡¯s a pretty good jump. I would have loved to have finished it, obviously, and get to 160-170-ish. I just like being consistent. I like being out there every five days. I want to throw as many innings as I can to help out the bullpen, help out everybody else.

¡°I think now the focus is health and me being in the right state and being able to finish strong. I had gotten better, less of a cliff the second time. Now it¡¯s, ¡®OK, what can I do to fully eliminate that?¡¯¡±

Despite not returning from the IL, Abbott was ramped up with his side throwing in the closing weeks of last season so he could go into the offseason without restrictions. Over the winter at his home in Texas, he made several modifications to his routine.

¡°It was a laundry list," he said. "I changed my diet and my nutrition, added extra conditioning, lifted more and did PT three times a week. I dropped 20 pounds coming into Spring Training."

Abbott believed he had plenty of time to be ready for Opening Day. Francona preferred not to set a goal.

¡°I don¡¯t even think about that just because I think that¡¯s where you make mistakes, when you put an artificial deadline," Francona said. "We¡¯re going to do what¡¯s right for every player. If somebody isn¡¯t ready, whether it¡¯s him or somebody else, we¡¯ll figure out a way to make it work until they¡¯re ready.¡±