It’s been an up-and-down season for the Cincinnati Reds. On Friday, the Reds put left-hander Andrew Abbott on the 15-day injured list with a left shoulder strain. Abbott is the third member of the Reds opening rotation currently on the IL, including Hunter Greene (elbow) and Graham Ashcraft (elbow). Cincinnati has lost five of their last seven games and will be using an opener, reliever Buck Farmer, for the start Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It’s unclear how long Abbott will be out for.
The #Reds today announced the following transactions: pic.twitter.com/7GrCcFb5IV
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) August 23, 2024
Right-hander Alan Busenitz has been selected to take over Abbott’s spot on the roster. Busenitz, who appeared in six games for the Reds last season, worked to a 2.57 ERA. Catcher Austin Wynns was transferred to the 60-day IL to open a roster spot for Busenitz.
Andrew Abbott Out with Shoulder Strain
With Frankie Montas now playing for the Milwaukee Brewers, Nick Martinez is the only active starter who was part of the Reds Opening Day roster. Abbott’s placement on the IL comes a day after outfielder Jake Fraley and switch-hitting Jeimer Candelario landed on the 10-day IL. First baseman Dominic Smith signed a one-year deal after being released by the Boston Red Sox to fill a roster spot.
Abbott is in the middle of a strong season for the Reds. The left-hander has a 3.72 ERA across starts in 139 innings. However, his 5.04 FIP says otherwise. Even though his modest 19.5 percent strikeout rate goes with an 8.9 percent walk rate.
Abbott had a strong rookie campaign. Over 21 starts, he posted a 3.87 ERA while striking out 26.1 percent of opposing hitters. The overall numbers were impressive, but Abbott’s production fell off dramatically down the stretch. Abbott went into August with a 2.35 ERA before allowing more than three earned runs in each of the final two months.
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