Cincinnati.com · Jul 6, 2023
Why Cincinnati Reds might be forced to limit or sit best starter when stakes are highest
WASHINGTON — Reason No. 118 that Nick Krall needs to be aggressive enough to trade for a starting pitcher before the Aug. 1 trade deadline:
The Cincinnati Reds general manager likely will be forced to limit or even shut down the best starting pitcher on his staff when the stakes are highest and the pennant-race heat the hottest down the stretch.
“It’s something we have to consider,” Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson said.
That’s not a knock on Andrew Abbott.
In fact, it’s just the opposite for the rookie left-hander, who has been such an effective and important part of the Reds’ surge into first place that workload issues could become a priority for the young pitcher by September.