GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Reds decided that Andrew Abbott ran out of time in his bid to open the season on time and in the rotation after starting camp on a slower progression as he worked back from a 2024 shoulder injury.
Manager Terry Francona named Carson Spiers as the fifth starter while Abbott begins the 2025 season on the injured list. Joining Spiers in rotation to begin the year will be Hunter Greene, Nick Martinez, Brady Singer and Nick Lodolo. Another rotation contender, Graham Ashcraft, is being switched to a bullpen role.
¡°It¡¯s not tough to take," Abbott said. "I feel like I¡¯m ready, but they need to make sure we¡¯re coming out the smart way and if that¡¯s the smartest way, I¡¯m all for it. It does give me a chance to get a few more innings underneath and get a few more games. I think I was going to be ready, but I¡¯m not going to sit here and argue with it. I¡¯m just going to do it and move on with it.¡±
Abbott, 25, was 10-10 with a 3.72 ERA in 25 starts and 138 innings for the Reds last season. He missed the final six weeks with a left shoulder strain and he came into spring knowing it would take him longer to ramp up.
After getting into a Minor League game for two innings last week, Abbott made his spring debut with three innings pitched on Monday against the Guardians. Francona wanted to give the lefty every chance to avoid the injured list.
"He could have started game five [of the season]. When you kind of think about it, he¡¯d be pitching [an extended spring] game out here on Opening Day and he¡¯d have to be on the active roster -- and if we had a hiccup ¡," Francona said. "So we kind of explained that to him.¡±
There is no immediate timetable for when Abbott could begin the season. He will remain in Arizona to continue getting ready.
¡°Maybe one, maybe two [starts]. I¡¯m not too certain," Abbott said. "They might just kind of see how I¡¯m feeling and if we get to that six up-down or five up-down or whatever that they need to see, and go from there.¡±
In three Cactus League games (one start) this spring, Spiers posted a 2.70 ERA and also pitched four innings in a Minor League game. In 22 games (10 starts) over multiple call-ups last season, the right-hander went 5-7 with a 5.46 ERA.
¡°I¡¯ve had to earn everything in this game from my college days being a walk-on, to not being drafted here and now getting a chance to break on the opening roster as a starter," said Spiers, who was signed in 2020 as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson. ¡°It¡¯s rewarding. It¡¯s awesome for me and my family to get this opportunity. Now it¡¯s time to compete and show what I can do.¡±