BREAKING: Reds’ General Manager Brad Meador Provides Stunning Update on Andrew Abbott and Rhett Lowder

There’s a slim possibility that Abbott could be ready for the season opener. Reds General Manager Brad Meador joined Jeff Brantley and John Sadak on the broadcast Saturday and shared updates on starting pitchers Andrew Abbott and Rhett Lowder.

“They’re both progressing well and feeling good,” Meador said. “Andrew is ahead of Rhett. There’s still a chance Andrew could be ready for opening day. We’ll see. He needs to fully build back up, get into games, and have a complete spring training. We also have Graham and Carson Spiers to consider. We’ll see how it plays out for that fifth spot.”

It appears increasingly likely that either Graham Ashcraft or Carson Spiers will be the Reds’ fifth starter to begin the season.

Ashcraft made 15 starts for the Reds in 2024, posting a 5.24 ERA. This offseason, he added a curveball to his pitching arsenal.

“Graham, as you know, throws everything hard,” Meador said. “When everything’s thrown hard, especially after facing a lineup once or twice, you have to be able to slow hitters down. Good hitters can adjust to hard stuff. Being able to slow them down is crucial.”

Spiers pitched in 22 games for the Reds last season, including 10 starts. He finished with a 5.46 ERA and 80 strikeouts over 90 2/3 innings.

Cincinnati has more pitching depth than in previous seasons, which should benefit them early in the 2025 season.