Workload becoming issue for Reds’ Abbott
Andrew Abbott, the lefty who has been such a huge part of the Cincinnati Reds’ success since his June 5 debut, could face his 2023 expiration date in the coming weeks. The poised rookie has already blown past his lifetime high of innings pitched at any level.
And while it’s probably too soon to start raising any alarms, it’s at least time to start looking harder at the plans over the next several weeks.
Abbott has struggled in his last two starts, allowing a combined nine runs on 14 hits and eight walks across nine innings against the Chicago Cubs Monday and Washington Nationals Saturday.
“I don’t really think of it,” Abbott said after Saturday’s 7-3 loss. “I feel good. I’ve been recovering well.”
“I’m going to throw until they say something to me,” he added.
Abbott was unbeaten with a 1.21 ERA through his first six starts (Reds: 6-0), but he has a 4.86 ERA in his last six (Reds: 3-3).
And it’s notable that those losses followed a win against the San Francisco Giants on July 20 in which he threw 113 pitches over eight innings.
“Andrew Abbot’s doing great since he’s been here,” manager David Bell said. “He’s had a fantastic start to his career at the big league level. He’s going to go through these things. And he’s going to make adjustments. And he’s already shown that in-game.”
But how much longer before he needs a break?
With Saturday’s start, Abbott reached 124 2⁄3 innings combined in the minors and big leagues this year, surpassing his career high at any level (including college), increasing the scrutiny on his workload with eight weeks left in the season.
And with the stakes increasing with every start.
“I’m going to throw until they say something to me,” Abbott retiterated. “I haven’t had any conversation, so I really don’t think about it.”