The Cincinnati Reds‘ playoff aspirations took a significant hit on Friday with the announcement that left-hander Andrew Abbott has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to August 20, due to a left shoulder strain. The injury news comes as a blow to a Reds team already grappling with an injury-riddled rotation. Right-hander Alan Busenitz has been called up to fill Abbott’s spot on the roster, while catcher Austin Wynns has been transferred to the 60-day injured list to create space on the 40-man roster for Busenitz.
A Tough Blow to the Rotation
The Reds have yet to specify when Abbott suffered the injury or how long he might be sidelined. Abbott last pitched on Sunday, throwing 83 pitches over five innings. Statcast data indicated a slight dip in his fastball velocity, averaging 91.6 miles per hour compared to 92.6 mph in his previous start, which could suggest he was not operating at full capacity.
Abbott’s absence adds to the growing list of pitching problems for the Reds. With a 3.72 ERA over 25 starts this season, Abbott has been a key component of the rotation, alongside Hunter Greene. Greene, however, was placed on the injured list last week due to elbow soreness. Now, with Abbott also on the IL, the Reds are left without their top two starters. The rotation woes are compounded by the injuries to Graham Ashcraft and Brandon Williamson, further depleting the team’s pitching depth.
A Season of Injuries
Injuries have been a recurring theme for the Reds this season. The team is currently missing several key position players, including Jeimer Candelario, Jake Fraley, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Matt McLain, and Nick Martini. Additionally, Noelvi Marté served an 80-game PED suspension earlier in the year, and TJ Friedl has also been sidelined.
Despite these setbacks, the Reds remain in the thick of the playoff hunt with a 63-64 record, sitting five games back of the final National League postseason spot currently held by the Atlanta Braves. However, navigating the remainder of the season will be challenging with the rotation in disarray.
Rotation and Depth Challenges
Abbott was slated to start on Friday, but with his injury, the Reds will need to consider bullpen games or rely on a rotation that now includes Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez, Carson Spiers, and Julian Aguiar. Spiers and Martinez, who have been filling in due to injuries, along with Aguiar, a recent call-up with only one major league start, will need to step up significantly.
The team faces a demanding schedule with an off day on Monday followed by eight games in seven days, including a doubleheader next Friday. This compact schedule may require the Reds to dig deep into their pitching depth. Lyon Richardson, currently on the 40-man roster, has been used in relief recently. Meanwhile, Connor Phillips, who has struggled with a 9.92 ERA in Triple-A, and Rhett Lowder, a recent Triple-A promotion with limited experience, could be potential candidates for additional innings. Justus Sheffield, a non-roster option, has also had a tough season in Triple-A with a 6.88 ERA.
Adding Busenitz to the Mix
Busenitz, who was signed to a minor league deal in January, brings a fresh arm to the bullpen. With 55 innings pitched across 40 Triple-A appearances this year, Busenitz has posted a 3.93 ERA, a 22.3% strikeout rate, and a 7.9% walk rate. Given that he is out of options, he cannot be sent back to the minors without first being exposed to waivers.
Wynns, who has been on the 10-day injured list since late July due to a lat strain, is now ineligible to return until the final days of the regular season, further impacting the Reds’ depth.
As the Reds continue to battle injuries and strive to stay competitive, the coming weeks will test their resilience and adaptability. With their rotation in flux and key players on the mend, every game becomes crucial in their quest to secure a playoff spot.
