Reds Receive Mixed News on Brandon Williamson; Abbott Secures Rotation Spot

The Cincinnati Reds received mixed updates regarding Brandon Williamson on Tuesday. On the positive side, he experienced some improvement in his shoulder soreness, which had prompted his early exit from his last game. However, the downside is that he will start the season on the injured list and won’t be able to pitch for at least a few days. Additionally, it’s been reported by Mark Sheldon of Reds.com that Andrew Abbott has secured a spot in the rotation, likely influenced by Williamson’s situation.

This development means that the starting rotation for the beginning of the season is set to include Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft, Nick Martinez, and Abbott. The status of Nick Lodolo’s return from the injured list, expected around April 10th, remains undisclosed.

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It’s worth noting the peculiar timing of Abbott’s confirmation in the rotation, considering he was arguably one of the Reds’ top starting pitchers in 2023. Despite this, he had to wait until March 19th due to someone else’s injury. Abbott’s rookie season saw him make 21 starts, pitching 109.1 innings with a 3.87 ERA, 44 walks, and 120 strikeouts.

The Reds seem to be contending with a string of injuries, with Matt McLain being scratched from Monday’s game due to a sore shoulder. However, there’s some optimism regarding McLain’s condition, as manager David Bell mentioned he might return to the lineup soon, possibly with an extra day of rest. Furthermore, outfielder Jake Fraley, who exited Monday’s game after fouling a ball off himself, reportedly feels fine according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic.

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