The Cincinnati Reds officially revealed their Opening Day Pitching staff—and one decision immediately stands out. Hunter Greene is expected to miss the first half of the season. To stabilize the rotation, the Reds are turning to a mix of youth and depth. Rhett Lowder, Brandon Williamson, and Chase Burns are all set to be part of the plan. On the surface, it looks like a standard depth move. One of those arms fills out the rotation. Another provides long relief. This allows manager Terry Francona to manage innings early in the year.
But let’s be honest—that explanation feels a little too clean. The Cincinnati Reds have floated the idea of a six-man rotation. The assumption? It’s about protecting young arms early in the season. I’m not buying it. This might have a lot more to do with one name: Andrew Abbott.
Purchase tickets via Ticketmaster
Andrew Abbott’s Spring Is Raising Real Concerns
Abbott was one of the Cincinnati Reds’ most reliable arms last season. Over 166.1 innings, he posted a 2.87 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, and held opponents to a .235 batting average. This spring has been a completely different story. In his latest outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Abbott allowed eight runs while recording just six outs on 76 pitches. Command has been an issue as well, walking five batters across his last two starts. The numbers are hard to ignore:
- Spring ERA: 13.85
- WHIP: 2.38
- Opponent AVG: .431
So What Does a “Six-Man Rotation” Really Mean?
If Abbott struggles again in his final spring start, the Reds are going to have a decision to make. It won’t be a comfortable decision. A six-man rotation might not be about managing innings at all. It might be about buying time. Time to:
- Let Abbott reset physically or mechanically
- Avoid overexposing him early in the season
- Keep a long reliever ready if things go sideways quickly
In that scenario, the “sixth man” isn’t just extra depth—it’s insurance.
What Happens Next?
There are a few realistic paths here:
1. Abbott opens the season on the IL. This gives him time to regroup while the Cincinnati Reds lean on their depth.
2. Short Leash in the Rotation
He starts the season. He has a quick hook. A long reliever is ready behind him.
3. Option to Triple-A (Least Likely, but possible)
A more aggressive move if the struggles don’t improve at all.
Meanwhile, Burns could take on a larger role. Williamson will hold down the back end of the rotation. This setup is until Greene returns.
The Bottom Line
The Cincinnati Reds can call it a six-man rotation if they want. But if Abbott’s struggles continue, this isn’t about strategy—it’s about necessity. And how they handle this situation could quietly shape the first half of their season.
What do you think? Are the Reds being cautious, or is this already a problem?
