Abbott's Debut: Fans Clash Over Pitcher's Struggles

SCOTTSDALE, AZ. − The Cincinnati Reds Opening Day starting pitcher has some work to do before he takes center stage at Great American Ball Park March 26 and attempts to set the right tone for 2026. Making what was likely his second-to-last start prior to Opening Day , Andrew Abbott exited his March 16 outing visibly displeased with his day's work.

Over two appearances in the game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick − Abbott was lifted after two-plus innings of work and reinserted in the bottom of the fifth − he allowed eight runs, eight hits and three walks. He was also charged with a throwing error. More: The Reds have difficult decisions to reach 26-man Opening Day roster More: Top half of Cincinnati Reds lineup set as Matt McLain returns to 2 spot The largely-unseen work Abbott has done at the team's Goodyear, Arizona complex hasn't produced the results he expected.

That's a theme that's prevailed throughout his spring training to varying extents since games started. "I'm just overall frustrated. Results aren't what I want them to be, honestly," Abbott said.

"I feel like my process has been there. I feel like my work bullpen (sessions) has been there. Kind of just waiting out the storm, waiting to see when it will click but today, mechanically it clicked and then, you know, everything I've been working on with off-speed pitches, with cutters, with changeups was OK, I think.