Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott was brilliant on Friday, chucking six innings of one-run baseball while punching out 11. Abbott allowed just two hits and a walk, with the only damage coming off a Cedric Mullins solo homer in the second frame. Abbott has shown big upside in the past, but his consistency has been spotty at best. In today's game, he got whiffs on his fastball, curveball, and especially his changeup. If he can keep those pitches rolling, he certainly has the chance to be special. He's not widely rostered in fantasy, but that needs to change after this performance. Go out and grab him if he's out there in your league.

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.

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.

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.

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott (shoulder) was cleared to begin a throwing program on Wednesday, and the Reds are hoping that he'll be able to return before the end of the 2024 regular season at the end of September. Abbott was scratched from his Aug. 23 start and was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 20) with a left-shoulder strain. It's good news that the 25-year-old southpaw is on the mend, but he still has several boxes to check, and there are only several weeks left in the season with the Reds not in the mix for a playoff spot. If Abbott does return, it will probably only be for a start or two, at the most. The former second-rounder in 2021 out of Virginia had similar numbers in 2024 to his rookie campaign a year ago and is currently 10-10 with a 3.72 ERA (5.06 FIP), a 1.29 WHIP and a 114:52 K:BB over a career-high 138 innings over his 25 starts.

The Cincinnati Reds placed left-hander Andrew Abbott (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 20) on Friday with a left-shoulder strain and called up pitcher Alan Busenitz from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Abbott was originally scheduled to start Friday's game against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates, but the Reds will now go with a bullpen game and will use reliever Buck Farmer as the opener. The 25-year-old Abbott is eligible to come off the injured list on Sept. 4, so he may only need to miss one turn through the starting rotation. In his second year in the big leagues in 2024, Abbott has gone 10-10 with a 3.72 ERA (5.04 FIP) and a 1.29 WHIP with 114 strikeouts, 52 walks and a league-high 25 home runs allowed in 25 starts covering 138 innings. Since the All-Star break, Abbott has struggled to a 4.83 ERA with 28 K's, 12 walks and seven homers allowed in six starts.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott continued his strong season in Monday's 6-0 win over the Rockies, improving to 9-6. The 25-year-old pitched seven innings, allowing just three hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. He now owns a 3.06 ERA with a 7.17 K/9 rate, a 3.32 BB/9 rate, and a 1.40 HR/9 rate in 18 starts and 103 IP. The strikeouts have dipped for Abbott, but he has managed 5 2/3 IP/GS while posting respectable HR numbers given his home park. He will get a great matchup against the Marlins to end the first half of the season.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott (8-6) diffused the Bronx Bombers lineup Wednesday night, shoving for 6 1/3 one-run innings on three hits and four walks with two strikeouts in a 3-2 victory. Fantasy managers would like to see the strikeout and walk totals reversed, but after the outing, Abbott's ERA sits at an impressive 3.28 on the season to go along with 1.20 WHIP. You can't ask for more than that of a young former top prospect's sophomore season. Abbot has been incredibly consistent this season with all of his monthly ERA lying between 3.27 and 3.70. The 25-year-old at one point this season was a solid streaming option, but now, especially in deeper leagues, he is looking more and more like a must-start pitcher every week. Abbott faces the Colorado Rockies in his next start and is a must-add if you have room on your roster moving forward.

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott will look to keep his production consistent on Friday when he takes on the Chicago White Sox on the road. The southpaw has been solid out of the gate, tossing 10 1/3 innings while surrendering four earned runs across his first two starts of the season. He has walked four and struck out eight in that time. It's a welcomed start to his Sophomore season as Abbott tossed a 3.87 ERA across 21 games as a rookie in the 2023 season, delighting fantasy managers with a solid 26.1% K% in that time. He will need to keep the ball on the ground more often with a concerning 29.1% ground-ball rate early in his career but Abbott's run prevention and solid strikeout rates make him a useable fantasy asset moving forward.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Andrew Abbott had a second straight ineffective start of the spring on Saturday in a 7-5 Cactus League win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The lefty gave up three earned runs on seven hits (including three doubles) in three innings of work. He walked just one though and struck out five, so it wasn't all bad. After three spring starts, the 24-year-old has allowed seven earned runs on 14 hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts. Abbott got off to a strong start last season but wasn't nearly as sharp in the second half, posting a 2.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 20.5% K-BB%, and .266 WOBA over 41 2/3 IP in the first half versus a 4.79 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 14.3% K-BB%, and .351 WOBA over 67 2/3 IP in the second half. RotoBaller ranks the south at 257 overall, slightly ahead of his 270 ADP.

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott will make his first Cactus League start on Monday in a split-squad game against the Seattle Mariners. In his first taste of the big leagues, Abbott acquitted himself well, going 8-6 with a 3.87 ERA (4.20 FIP) and 1.32 WHIP with 44 walks and 120 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings over 21 starts. The 24-year-old southpaw faded down the stretch in his rookie campaign, but he appears to have a spot set in the starting rotation out of the gates in 2024. The former second-round pick in 2021 makes up for his lack of velocity with four quality offerings and proved very tough to hit for left-handed batters. Keeping the ball in the yard in a hitter-friendly home park will be vital for Abbott in his first full big-league season.