Reds' Terry Francona names Andrew Abbott as Opening Day starter vs. Red Sox

The left-hander will take the mound for Cincinnati against Francona's former team.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona has announced that left-hander Andrew Abbott will be the team's Opening Day starter against the Boston Red Sox. Abbott is coming off an All-Star season in 2025 and will look to prove he is one of the league's top pitchers, especially with uncertainty surrounding the status of Reds ace Hunter Greene due to an elbow injury.

Why it matters

The Reds are hoping their pitching rotation, led by Abbott, can help propel them to the playoffs this season. Francona's decision to start Abbott on Opening Day against his former Red Sox team adds an extra layer of intrigue to the matchup.

The details

Abbott, 25, is entering his fourth season with the Reds. He is coming off a career-best 2.87 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 2025, earning his first All-Star selection. The Reds' rotation also features Brady Singler, Nick Lodolo, Chase Burns, and Rhett Lowder, but Greene's elbow injury has created some uncertainty. Francona is confident in Abbott's ability to lead the staff on Opening Day against the Red Sox, his former team.

  • The Reds will face the Red Sox on Opening Day, March 28, 2026.
  • Abbott is set to make his first career Opening Day start.

The players

Terry Francona

The manager of the Cincinnati Reds, who previously managed the Boston Red Sox from 2004 to 2011, winning two World Series titles.

Andrew Abbott

A 25-year-old left-handed pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds, who is coming off his first All-Star season in 2025 and will make his first career Opening Day start.

Hunter Greene

The Reds' ace pitcher who is currently dealing with an elbow injury, creating uncertainty around his status for the start of the season.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Reds will monitor Hunter Greene's elbow injury and his status for the start of the season. If Greene is unable to go, Abbott will be tasked with leading the Reds' rotation against the Red Sox on Opening Day.

The takeaway

Abbott's first Opening Day start is a testament to his development and the Reds' faith in him to anchor their pitching staff, even with the uncertainty surrounding Greene's injury. This matchup against Francona's former team adds an intriguing storyline to the season opener.