Abbott (shoulder) is expected to make his Cactus League debut by the middle of this week, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott has been on a slower throwing progression than other starters but was enthused when talking about his status Sunday. "It definitely feels good. I feel ready to go," Abbott said. "I think it's a smart way of doing it, not rushing into it." The left-hander felt nothing abnormal after throwing 32 pitches in a two-inning, live batting practice session Friday.

Abbott (shoulder) expressed optimism Sunday that he'll be ready for Opening Day after he recently tossed his first live batting practice session of the spring, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "Big step, big checkmark," Abbott said. "I feel really confident where we are."

EDGE Analysis

Just two days earlier, manager Terry Francona suggested that Abbott's availability for Opening Day was more of a question mark, but the southpaw's ability to face hitters is a big step in a positive direction. Abbott is likely to throw live BP sessions on at least a couple more occasions before the Reds include him in the Cactus League pitching schedule. He should still have enough time to get stretched out for starting duty before the Reds open their season March 27, but any minor snags in the buildup process would likely make him a candidate for a stint on the injured list.

Manager Terry Francona indicated Friday that Abbott's (shoulder) availability for the start of the regular season remains up in the air, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander finished last season on the injured list due to a shoulder strain, so he's had a slower, more deliberate buildup early in spring training. A bout with the flu slowed Abbott's progress this week, and Francona doesn't expect the 25-year-old to be built up to 100 pitches by the start of the regular season. He could still begin the season in the starting rotation if he can get built up to about five innings, otherwise Graham Ashcraft or Carson Spiers could get a turn or two before Abbott steps in as the No. 5 starter.

Abbott (shoulder) threw a side bullpen session Wednesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott, who was already on a slower progression due to the shoulder, had added downtime due to an illness that kept him away from the team last weekend. It's unclear when he'll advance to facing hitters in a live batting practice session.

Abbott (shoulder) returned to camp Sunday after being away for two days due to illness, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott is not yet scheduled to face hitters in a live batting practice session. The Reds will check in with the left-hander to determine the impact of the last two days of inactivity, then make decisions on the next steps of Abbott's progression.

Abbott is a bit behind schedule at the start of spring training while he still works through the left shoulder strain that ended his 2024 season, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott missed the final six weeks of last season and said he had "a few hiccups every now and then" with the shoulder during his offseason throwing program. Because of that, he and the Reds agreed it would be a good idea for the lefty to slow play things this spring. Abbott has been throwing bullpen sessions since the start of spring training, but he will need one or two more before being cleared to face hitters. It's uncertain when he might appear in his first Cactus League game. Abbott is competing for the final spot in the Reds' rotation.

Abbott (shoulder) will not return this season, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott has been throwing and will continue to do so in hopes of going into the offseason without any restrictions, but there's not enough time left in the regular season for him to rejoin the Reds' rotation. The left-hander will finish with a 3.72 ERA and 114:52 K:BB over 138 innings covering 25 starts for Cincinnati this season.

Abbott (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The side session was Abbott's second since he landed on the 15-day injured list Aug. 23 with a left shoulder strain. Abbott is expected to face hitters in live batting practice this weekend, and if all goes well, he could return from the IL next week to make one final appearance before the end of the regular season. Given that he'll have missed more than a month and won't have the benefit of making a minor-league appearance beforehand if he's activated, Abbott is expected to be limited to a relief role.

Abbott (shoulder) began a throwing program Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott was shut down for nearly two weeks with a left shoulder strain but has been cleared to ramp things back up again. It's going to take him a while to be built back up to start a game for the Reds, but the hope is that he can make it back before the end of the season. Abbott has collected a 3.72 ERA and 114:52 K:BB over 138 innings covering 25 starts for Cincinnati in 2024.

The Reds placed Abbott on the 15-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Aug. 20, with a left shoulder strain.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott was initially the Reds' probable pitcher for Friday's game against the Pirates, but Cincinnati named reliever Buck Farmer as the opener before eventually putting Abbott on the shelf. If the left-hander can return when first eligible Sept. 4, he'd only miss one more start. Cincinnati recalled Alan Busenitz from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move, and he could fill Abbot's spot in the rotation after getting stretched out to four innings and 45 pitches in his last appearance for Louisville on Aug. 17. Abbott has a 3.72 ERA across 138 innings spanning 25 starts this season.