Huge Blow to Reds Rotation as Another Starter to Begin Season on IL

With Opening Day against the San Francisco Giants just a week away, the Cincinnati Reds are working to trim their roster down to 26 players. Lyon Richardson was optioned to AAA Louisville, leaving the Major League camp with 37 players. Another move on the horizon is placing starting pitcher Andrew Abbott on the IL.

Brandon Williamson and Julian Aguiar are both on the 60-day IL and will miss the entire 2025 season. Tyler Stephenson is expected to begin the season on the 10-day IL, with an official announcement likely to come alongside Abbott’s. With this move, Carson Spiers has won the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Since making his debut on June 5, 2023, Abbott has been solid for the Reds, making 46 starts with a 3.78 ERA, 1.306 WHIP, and 234 strikeouts. In his rookie season, he led all starters with at least 20 starts with a 120 ERA+. Last year, he posted a 118 ERA+, second only to Hunter Greene among pitchers with at least 17 starts. Abbott recorded nine starts of six or more innings in his first season, including five scoreless outings. In 2024, he went six innings in 10 starts and had three scoreless performances, along with six one-run outings.

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While losing Abbott is a blow, the Reds’ rotation remains strong with Greene, Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, Brady Singer, and Spiers, and Rhett Lowder is ready to step in if needed. When Abbott returns, he will be a key contributor to the rotation.