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SCOTTSDALE, AZ. − The Cincinnati Reds Opening Day starting pitcher has some work to do before he takes center stage at Great American Ball Park March 26 and attempts to set the right tone for 2026.
Making what was likely his second-to-last start prior to Opening Day, Andrew Abbott exited his March 16 outing visibly displeased with his day's work. Over two appearances in the game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick − Abbott was lifted after two-plus innings of work and reinserted in the bottom of the fifth − he allowed eight runs, eight hits and three walks. He was also charged with a throwing error.
More: The Reds have difficult decisions to reach 26-man Opening Day roster
More: Top half of Cincinnati Reds lineup set as Matt McLain returns to 2 spot
The largely-unseen work Abbott has done at the team's Goodyear, Arizona complex hasn't produced the results he expected. That's a theme that's prevailed throughout his spring training to varying extents since games started.
"I'm just overall frustrated. Results aren't what I want them to be, honestly," Abbott said. "I feel like my process has been there. I feel like my work bullpen (sessions) has been there. Kind of just waiting out the storm, waiting to see when it will click but today, mechanically it clicked and then, you know, everything I've been working on with off-speed pitches, with cutters, with changeups was OK, I think. It could be better obviously but still waiting on it."
After his last start March 11, Abbott was able to joke with manager Terry Francona that the scoreless innings he posted that day were his first of the spring, which was true. It was far from a laughing matter for Abbott when the numbers reappeared in box score against the Arizona Diamondbacks five days later.
"Andrew, I mean, his stuff was there. He just wasn't commanding the (strike) zone like he normally does, and got hit around a little bit," Reds bench coach Freddie Benavides said. "Stuff is still sharp. He was just behind in the count a little too much."
Winning or losing Opening Day won't determine the Reds' ultimate success. In 2025, Cincinnati lost Opening Day in late, heartbreaking fashion. There was an immediate, out-sized reaction to that loss, but the team still went on to reach MLB's postseason.
Regardless of what Abbott can offer on Opening Day itself, Cincinnati will be dependent on the 2025 MLB All-Star for wins and big innings in 2026 after he went 10-7 with a team-best 2.87 ERA in 2026. The importance of Abbott was underscored when the team lost Hunter Greene until at least July due to surgery for bone spurs.
At some point, Abbott will need to get comfortable and have success if the Reds are to succeed.
Just as he had in previous starts this spring, Abbott liked his preparation ahead of the March 16 game. His in-game pitches were generally acceptable, he said, including the cutter he'd been working on.
Abbott said he and pitching coach Derek Johnson were intentional about working on Abbott's mechanics.
"I'd been leaking and pitches were staying over the plate," Abbott said. " 'D.J.' (and I) were really keen on doing that today. Just driving right through (catcher Jose Trevino), right over the plate... Felt like I did a pretty good job of that but you know, a subjective game. Obviously, I want results to be a lot better."
During his daily morning meeting in his office with reporters on March 16, Francona casually mentioned he didn't feel well. Turns out, there was something to that as Francona wasn't on the bench for Reds-Diamondbacks.
Benavides essentially served as acting manager for the contest, making pitching changes and handling media responsibilities after the Reds' 11-6 loss to the Diamondbacks. Benavides also said afterward that Francona was feeling under the weather.
Plan on tuning in via radio or TV/stream to keep pace with the latest on the Reds? Then you're planning on some later nights this week. Six of the Reds' remaining games between now and Opening Day, including the Spring Breakout exhibition and the two exhibition games against the Milwaukee Brewers, are scheduled to start after 5 p.m. in the eastern time zone. Of those, four are scheduled to start at 9:05 p.m. in the east.
March 17: Reds vs. Cleveland Guardians (9:05 p.m. EDT)
March 18: Split squad - Reds vs. Colorado Rockies; Reds @ Los Angeles Angels (both games at 4:05 p.m. EDT)
March 19: Spring Breakout - Reds prospects vs. Giants prospects (9:05 p.m. EDT)
March 20: Reds @ Chicago Cubs (9:05 p.m. EDT)
March 21: Reds vs. Chicago White Sox (9:05 p.m. EDT)
March 22: Reds vs. Guardians (3:05 p.m. EDT)
March 23: Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers - exhibition at American Family Field (7:40 p.m. EDT)
March 24: Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers - exhibition at American Family Field (5:10 EDT)
March 25: No game; Possible media availability TBA.
March 26: Reds vs. Red Sox; Opening Day at Great American Ball Park (4:10 p.m.)
The Reds and Cleveland Guardians will battle at their shared Goodyear home, Goodyear Ballpark, with Cincinnati acting as the home team for the 9:05 p.m. (EDT).
Reds No. 2 starter Nick Lodolo is scheduled to get the start against the Guardians, who haven't announced a started for the game.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Andrew Abbott labors with Opening Day looming
Continue reading...
Making what was likely his second-to-last start prior to Opening Day, Andrew Abbott exited his March 16 outing visibly displeased with his day's work. Over two appearances in the game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick − Abbott was lifted after two-plus innings of work and reinserted in the bottom of the fifth − he allowed eight runs, eight hits and three walks. He was also charged with a throwing error.
More: The Reds have difficult decisions to reach 26-man Opening Day roster
More: Top half of Cincinnati Reds lineup set as Matt McLain returns to 2 spot
The largely-unseen work Abbott has done at the team's Goodyear, Arizona complex hasn't produced the results he expected. That's a theme that's prevailed throughout his spring training to varying extents since games started.
"I'm just overall frustrated. Results aren't what I want them to be, honestly," Abbott said. "I feel like my process has been there. I feel like my work bullpen (sessions) has been there. Kind of just waiting out the storm, waiting to see when it will click but today, mechanically it clicked and then, you know, everything I've been working on with off-speed pitches, with cutters, with changeups was OK, I think. It could be better obviously but still waiting on it."
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After his last start March 11, Abbott was able to joke with manager Terry Francona that the scoreless innings he posted that day were his first of the spring, which was true. It was far from a laughing matter for Abbott when the numbers reappeared in box score against the Arizona Diamondbacks five days later.
"Andrew, I mean, his stuff was there. He just wasn't commanding the (strike) zone like he normally does, and got hit around a little bit," Reds bench coach Freddie Benavides said. "Stuff is still sharp. He was just behind in the count a little too much."
Winning or losing Opening Day won't determine the Reds' ultimate success. In 2025, Cincinnati lost Opening Day in late, heartbreaking fashion. There was an immediate, out-sized reaction to that loss, but the team still went on to reach MLB's postseason.
Regardless of what Abbott can offer on Opening Day itself, Cincinnati will be dependent on the 2025 MLB All-Star for wins and big innings in 2026 after he went 10-7 with a team-best 2.87 ERA in 2026. The importance of Abbott was underscored when the team lost Hunter Greene until at least July due to surgery for bone spurs.
At some point, Abbott will need to get comfortable and have success if the Reds are to succeed.
Just as he had in previous starts this spring, Abbott liked his preparation ahead of the March 16 game. His in-game pitches were generally acceptable, he said, including the cutter he'd been working on.
Abbott said he and pitching coach Derek Johnson were intentional about working on Abbott's mechanics.
"I'd been leaking and pitches were staying over the plate," Abbott said. " 'D.J.' (and I) were really keen on doing that today. Just driving right through (catcher Jose Trevino), right over the plate... Felt like I did a pretty good job of that but you know, a subjective game. Obviously, I want results to be a lot better."
Freddie Benavides fills in for under-the-weather 'Tito'
During his daily morning meeting in his office with reporters on March 16, Francona casually mentioned he didn't feel well. Turns out, there was something to that as Francona wasn't on the bench for Reds-Diamondbacks.
Benavides essentially served as acting manager for the contest, making pitching changes and handling media responsibilities after the Reds' 11-6 loss to the Diamondbacks. Benavides also said afterward that Francona was feeling under the weather.
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(Late) Night games aplenty to close out Cactus League
Plan on tuning in via radio or TV/stream to keep pace with the latest on the Reds? Then you're planning on some later nights this week. Six of the Reds' remaining games between now and Opening Day, including the Spring Breakout exhibition and the two exhibition games against the Milwaukee Brewers, are scheduled to start after 5 p.m. in the eastern time zone. Of those, four are scheduled to start at 9:05 p.m. in the east.
March 17: Reds vs. Cleveland Guardians (9:05 p.m. EDT)
March 18: Split squad - Reds vs. Colorado Rockies; Reds @ Los Angeles Angels (both games at 4:05 p.m. EDT)
March 19: Spring Breakout - Reds prospects vs. Giants prospects (9:05 p.m. EDT)
March 20: Reds @ Chicago Cubs (9:05 p.m. EDT)
March 21: Reds vs. Chicago White Sox (9:05 p.m. EDT)
March 22: Reds vs. Guardians (3:05 p.m. EDT)
March 23: Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers - exhibition at American Family Field (7:40 p.m. EDT)
March 24: Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers - exhibition at American Family Field (5:10 EDT)
March 25: No game; Possible media availability TBA.
March 26: Reds vs. Red Sox; Opening Day at Great American Ball Park (4:10 p.m.)
Next up for the Reds | Another test vs. Goodyear neighbors
The Reds and Cleveland Guardians will battle at their shared Goodyear home, Goodyear Ballpark, with Cincinnati acting as the home team for the 9:05 p.m. (EDT).
Reds No. 2 starter Nick Lodolo is scheduled to get the start against the Guardians, who haven't announced a started for the game.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Andrew Abbott labors with Opening Day looming
Continue reading...
