Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott had a message after a dominant start on Sunday.
The Cincinnati Reds pitching staff has struggled throughout the month of May, and as a result the team has struggled right along with it. The front office did little to address the team’s inconsistent offense this past offseason, and now with a rotation that is typically a strength battling both performance issues and injuries, the Reds have slipped in the standings.
Right-hander Hunter Greene remains sidelined while recovering from right elbow surgery, and both Brandon Williamson and Rhett Lowder are on the injured list. Cincinnati has won just two of its last 11 games.
One pitcher who has been part of the team’s inconsistency is Andrew Abbott. But on Sunday during Cincinnati's series finale against the Houston Astros, Abbott delivered his best outing of the season. He tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits with five strikeouts and one walk, helping Cincinnati secure a 5-0 win. After the game he told reporters he feels his season is beginning to turn in the right direction.
“I feel like I am getting there. A few things to iron out. You never get complacent in this game. Definitely a good step,” Abbott said (h/t Charlie Goldsmith of FOX19).
Abbott is right. It was a step forward. It has been a rough year for the 26-year-old left-hander, who struggled in spring training and carried those issues into the regular season.
Even after Sunday’s scoreless outing, he owns a 4.47 ERA across nine starts. He has struck out only 33 batters in 46 1/3 innings, a noticeable drop from his swing-and-miss rate last season.
Abbott broke out in 2025, earning his first All-Star selection and posting a 2.87 ERA in 29 starts. He made the most starts of his career and was a major reason the Reds reached the postseason for the first time in five years. If Cincinnati hopes to make another playoff push, Abbott returning to that form as soon as possible would go a long way.
Abbott is now in his fourth season with the Reds. He has spent his entire professional career with the organization after being selected in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft.
Abbott is viewed as a long-term rotation piece, and Sunday’s outing was a reminder of why the front office has so much faith in him. The Reds need stability, innings and reliability from their rotation, and Abbott showing signs of progress could not come at a better time.