Andrew Abbott Officially Activated Off Injured List
The Cincinnati Reds have officially activated left-handed pitcher Andrew Abbott (shoulder) off the 15-day injured list ahead of his season debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday evening. Abbott opened the campaign on the injured list due to a rotator-cuff strain in his left shoulder. The southpaw has made two rehab outings and logged 10 innings of work to the tune of a 3.60 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP. He held a 5:8 BB:K and allowed three home runs. Last summer, the Virginia product logged a career-high 138 innings with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He tallied strikeouts at a modest 19.5 percent rate but was able to limit hard contact, as he generated a strong 33.5 percent hard-hit rate. Abbott is worth a look in DFS this afternoon while facing a struggling Pittsburgh lineup.
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (shoulder) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to make his 2025 season debut on Saturday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. Abbott wants to get off to a strong start and said the spin on his fastball was good during his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, in which he allowed four earned runs on 10 hits (three homers) while walking five and striking out eight in two starts (10 innings). The 25-year-old southpaw is also excited about his new cutter becoming his fifth pitch. Abbott threw 92 pitches in his final rehab start, so he should be sufficiently stretched out, but he'll still be a risky deep-league streamer in his first start of the year after finally getting over shoulder issues that date back to last year. His strikeout rate will need to improve for him to become relevant in mixed fantasy leagues.
Andrew Abbott To Make Another Rehab Start On Sunday
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that left-hander Andrew Abbott (shoulder) will make another minor-league rehab start on Sunday. Abbott made his first rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday and gave up two runs in his 5 2/3 innings of work while also allowing two home runs, walking two and striking out four. The 25-year-old southpaw got up to 85 pitches and should be ready to make his 2025 debut with the Reds if he can get through his rehab start on Sunday without suffering any setbacks to his left shoulder. When Abbott is cleared to return to the Reds' starting rotation, Carson Spiers is expected to be the odd-man out. Abbott, a former second-rounder, will be a rotation regular for Cincy if healthy, but it was disappointing to see his strikeout rate drop under 20 percent in his sophomore season in 2024. A low strikeout rate and the fact he's a fly-ball pitcher in a hitter-friendly home park makes him pretty volatile in fantasy.
Andrew Abbott To Start On IL, Carson Spiers To Open As Fifth Starter
The Cincinnati Reds have told left-hander Andrew Abbott (shoulder) that he will begin the regular season on the injured list. As a result, right-hander Carson Spiers will serve as the team's fifth starter early on. Abbott's 2024 season came to an early end due to a left-shoulder injury, and he was still dealing with shoulder issues early in spring training, which put him behind the eight ball. The 25-year-old southpaw made his Cactus League debut earlier this week, but he simply ran out of time to get stretched out before Opening Day. If Abbott eventually can put his shoulder issues in the past for good, he should eventually return to their starting rotation in 2025. In the meantime, Spiers will be an option for NL-only fantasy managers after he posted a 5.46 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with 80 K's and 27 walks in 90 2/3 innings over 22 outings (10 starts) for Cincy in 2024.
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (shoulder) has progressed to throwing his first live batting practice session in spring training, but it remains to be seen if he'll have enough time to get ready for Opening Day on March 27. In addition to Abbott, rookie right-hander Rhett Lowder (elbow) has been delayed this spring. Abbott has been a fixture in Cincy's starting rotation since his big-league debut in June of 2023 until he landed on the injured list for the final six weeks of last season due to a left-shoulder impingement. He has been on a slower buildup program this spring and also missed some time due to the flu. If Abbott isn't ready to go early in the regular season, Graham Ashcraft, who has looked good in his two spring starts, could begin the year in the rotation for the Reds. In addition to concerns about Abbott's shoulder, his lack of strikeout upside doesn't make him all that attractive in shallow-mixed fantasy leagues.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott (shoulder) threw a successful side session on Wednesday. Abbott has been on a slower progression throughout camp due to a shoulder strain that cut his 2024 season short. In addition, the left-handed pitcher battled an illness last week, which slightly slowed down his recovery process. The team has still not provided a date when Abbott will progress to facing live hitters. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression but should not expect him to face hitters until he is able to throw several successful bullpen sessions. When healthy, the 25-year-old is expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. Last season, Abbott held a 3.72 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP across 138 frames. However, if he continues to face restrictions, Graham Ashcraft could become the favorite to land the final rotation spot.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott (illness/shoulder) returned to camp on Sunday. The left-handed pitcher was absent earlier in the week for two days due to this illness. In addition, Abbott is also dealing with a left shoulder strain. He has not been scheduled to face live hitters, but seeing him move past this illness is a good sign. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could be cleared in the coming weeks. Abbott sustained this injury at the end of the 2024 campaign and faced a few setbacks during his offseason throwing program. Across 138 innings last season, Abbott posted a 3.72 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He tallied a modest 114 punchouts and a low 34.7 percent ground-ball rate. When he does return to the bump, he will compete for one of the final spots in the rotation alongside Graham Ashcraft and Carson Spiers.
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott (shoulder) is progressing well after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury last season. Abbott sustained a left shoulder strain in late August, which cut his 2024 campaign short. Earlier in the offseason, it was reported that Abbott was "a bit" behind schedule. However, seeing that he is currently on a good progression is a positive sign for his status and should put him in a position to be available at the start of the season. Across 138 innings last season, the left-hander held a 3.72 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He tallied 114 punchouts and showed weak command of his pitches as he allowed walks at a high 8.9 percent rate. He also generated a modest 4.09 xERA. Abbott will likely be competing for the final spot in the rotation alongside Carson Spiers, Graham Ashcraft, and prospect Rhett Lowder.
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (shoulder) came to spring training this year behind other pitchers in camp while still working through shoulder issues that prematurely ended his 2024 season, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Abbott landed on the 15-day injured list five days after his Aug. 18 start against the Royals with a left-shoulder strain and didn't pitch the rest of the year. The 25-year-old has been throwing bullpen sessions since before camp started, though, and he will likely need several more before he moves to facing live hitters in batting practice or a simulated game. Abbott is one of eight starters vying for the Opening Day rotation after he dropped 20 pounds in the offseason. The former second-rounder should be ready for Opening Day, barring setbacks, but his weak strikeout rate and the fact he's not guaranteed a rotation spot make him avoidable in 12-team fantasy leagues.
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (shoulder) is not expected to return from the injured list to pitch again this year, but he will continue his throwing program to build into a healthy, normal offseason. The Reds are out of postseason contention with just over a week left to play in the regular season, so Abbott will continue to rehab his left shoulder in hopes of being 100 percent ready to go for spring training next February. The 25-year-old southpaw saw his strikeout rate drop from 26.1% in his rookie season in 2023 to 19.5% this year, but otherwise his surface numbers were very similar in his second year in the big leagues. Abbott went 10-10 with a 3.72 ERA, a 1.29 WHIP and a 114:52 K:BB in 138 innings over his 25 starts. His 5.05 FIP suggests he was very fortunate to have an ERA under 4.00. As long as he's healthy in 2025, Abbott should have a starting role locked up in Cincy.
Andrew Abbott
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Reds
