Home / Sports / Reds' Abbott Ready for Opening Day After Tough Spring
Reds' Abbott Ready for Opening Day After Tough Spring
24 Mar
Summary
- Andrew Abbott named Reds Opening Day starter despite a difficult spring.
- Abbott battled mechanics and mindset, finding confidence late in camp.
- Hunter Greene's elbow surgery paved the way for Abbott's start.
Andrew Abbott has officially been named the Cincinnati Reds' Opening Day starter, overcoming a tumultuous spring training period. The pitcher, who earned an All-Star nod in 2025, initially struggled with his mechanics and mindset, leading to mixed results in Cactus League games.
Reds manager Terry Francona expressed satisfaction with Abbott's progress, noting he "looked way more like Abbott" in his final spring outing. Abbott himself declared readiness, stating his pitches are behaving as intended, with his fastball showing significant improvement.
The path to Opening Day for Abbott was influenced by the injury to teammate Hunter Greene. Greene underwent elbow surgery in early March and is expected to miss the season until at least mid-July, creating the opportunity for Abbott.
Abbott acknowledged the pressures of his previous All-Star season and the expectation to prove himself. However, he and pitching coach Derek Johnson worked on separating his routine and mindset, focusing on being "external" rather than striving for unattainable perfection. Abbott aims for consistency this year, understanding that it may manifest differently than in 2025, and plans to approach Opening Day with an open mind and presence.
