Abbott did not factor into the decision Monday against the Phillies, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott drew a difficult task in his first 2024 start facing the Phillies on the road but escaped relatively unscathed. He settled in and pitched 4.2 scoreless innings after allowing two runs in the first inning on an Alec Bohm double. However, the Reds lefty struggled to avoid contact on his fastball, generating just one whiff despite throwing it 44 times. Abbott is currently scheduled to face the Mets at home in his next start.

Abbott will open the regular season in the Reds' rotation, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brandon Williamson is set to miss the first several weeks of the season due to a shoulder injury, meaning Abbott will claim the fifth and final spot of Cincinnati's rotation. Abbott hasn't had a particularly impressive spring, giving up seven earned runs in eight innings, but the 24-year-old southpaw had a successful enough rookie campaign to make it reasonable to think he'll bounce back during the regular season.

Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Abbott is competing with Brandon Williamson (shoulder) for the fifth spot in the rotation, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft and Nick Martinez are locked into the first four rotation spots, leaving Abbott and Williamson to battle for the final slot. It might be only temporary, though, as Nick Lodolo (lower leg) could be ready for his season debut by April 10. Abbott has been roughed up this spring, giving up seven runs on 14 hits and a walk over eight innings. The lefty also faded badly down the stretch last season with a 6.09 ERA in his final 10 starts.

Abbott allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five over three innings in Saturday's spring start against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott was supposed to pitch four innings, but manager David Bell pulled him after the pitcher allowed the first batter to reach base in the fourth, according to Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The left-hander had a second consecutive subpar Cactus League start and overall has given up seven runs and 14 hits over eight spring innings, although that comes with a more reassuring 8:1 K:BB. Despite the results, Bell did not sound worried. "He's still working toward being really sharp like we know he can be," the manager said. "He's going through that normal process in spring training. He came in looking really good and he'll get back there by the end of camp." Abbott added that he's been focusing on inside fastballs to righties during camp and used the word "bad" to describe the execution of those inside fastballs Saturday. He's still in the mix for a rotation spot, but that likely depends on the progress Nick Lodolo (lower leg) makes.

Abbott allowed four runs on seven hits and struck out two over three innings in Monday's spring start against the Athletics.

EDGE Analysis

The A's jumped on Abbott early, touching him up for three runs and five hits in the first inning, including Shea Langeliers' three-run home run. The left-hander met with more trouble in the third when he gave up singles to the first two hitters, leading to the fourth run. Abbott is in the mix for the final spot of the rotation; however, there could be two open slots depending on how Nick Lodolo (lower leg) progresses.

Abbott is battling with Nick Martinez, and to a lesser extent, Brandon Williamson, for the Reds' fifth starter job, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott is off to a good start this spring, but it's noteworthy that his spot in the rotation isn't a sure thing. The way the job battle has been framed by Goldsmith is that Hunter Greene, Frankie Montas, Nick Lodolo and Graham Ashcraft all have spots provided they are healthy. However, Lodolo, Montas and Ashcraft are all coming back from injury, so this situation is pretty fluid.

Abbott struck out one over two scoreless innings in Monday's Cactus League start against Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott tossed two perfect innings and was done after 22 pitches. The right-hander was so efficient that he needed additional pitches in the bullpen following his departure. Of note, Abbott's fastball consistently hit 94 mph (and touched 95), a development he said has never come this early in spring, per Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Abbott's main focus for 2024 is being more consistent with his curveball and changeup and getting deeper into games. He walked 3.6 batters per nine innings in 2023, so landing those two pitches in the zone should help extend outings. The 24-year-old also worked on conditioning and weight training, which he hopes will keep him stronger throughout the season. Abbott fell off in the second half last year, posting a 6.42 ERA over his final 11 starts.

Abbott is scheduled to make his first Cactus League start Monday in a split-squad game versus the Mariners, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though his performance faded over the second half of the season, Abbott still submitted a promising rookie campaign in 2023, compiling a 3.87 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 120:44 K:BB over 109.1 innings. While Cincinnati beefed up its starting depth in the offseason with the additions of Frankie Montas and Nick Martinez -- in addition to the expected return of Nick Lodolo (tibia) from injury -- Abbott's spot in the Reds' Opening Day rotation still seems to be fairly secure.

Abbott (8-6) took the loss Wednesday, allowing three runs on eight hits over 2.1 innings against Cleveland. He struck out one and did not walk a batter.

EDGE Analysis

Abbot ran into trouble early on after surrendering a leadoff double to Ramon Laureano to open the second. The lefty allowed five consecutive hits to start the frame and then gave up hits to two of the first three batters he faced in the third before being relieved by Daniel Duarte. Abbot has now failed to make it through five innings in four consecutive starts while his one strikeout Wednesday marked a season low. He's also lost his last three decisions and now holds a 6.10 ERA in September.

Abbott (8-5) did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 4.1 innings in a 7-5 loss against the Pirates. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Abbott mostly cruised through the first three innings before serving up a solo homer to Ke'Bryan Hayes in the top of the fourth and an additional solo shot to Henry Davis in the top of the fifth. The rookie left-hander still managed to generate a lot of whiffs and will carry a respectable 3.70 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 119:44 K:BB into his final regular-season start next week at Cleveland.