Andrew Abbott DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.