3 pitchers who could start for Reds on Thursday while Andrew Abbott gets extra rest

The Cincinnati Reds starting rotation has been a bit of a mess for the better part of two weeks. Since Hunter Greene, Ben Lively, and Brandon Williamson have all spent time on the COVID-19-related injured list, the Reds have had to turn to Connor Phillips, Lyon Richardson, and even Carson Spiers.

While the illness that swept through the clubhouse seems to be on its way out, Andrew Abbott is being given an extended rest according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Abbott would normally be in line to pitch today, but that start will instead go to Phillips. If the Reds do indeed skip Abbott altogether, who will fill the left-hander's shoes for Thursday's series finale against the Detroit Tigers?

1. Christian Roa could start for Reds on Thursday while Andrew Abbott gets extra rest.

A pitcher who many Reds fans have probably forgotten about is former second-round draft choice Christian Roa. With the right-hander needing to be added to the Cincinnati Reds 40-man roster this offseason in order to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, the team could just accelerate the process.

Roa has spent most of the 2023 season at Double-A Chattanooga, but was added to the Louisville Bats roster in late-June. Roa has made 10 appearances at Triple-A and owns a 3.62 ERA with 63 punch outs in just over 50 innings of work.

Roa has gone four or more innings in his previous four outings. The 24-year-old racked up nine strikeouts during his last start, but also walked five batters. Free passes have been a problem for Roa all season, as the right-hander owns a walk-rate of nearly 16-percent since moving to Triple-A.

Seeing as how Thursday's contest is a day game following Wednesday night's game, it seems unlikely that manager David Bell will use his bullpen to cover all nine innings for the series finale. The Reds skipper could, however, roll out an opener on Thursday afternoon and then turn the game over the Christian Roa in the second or third inning.

3. Ben Lively could start for Reds on Thursday while Andrew Abbott gets extra rest.

Both Christian Roa and Carson Spiers would be more a one-and-done situation, but perhaps the Cincinnati Reds need something more permanent.

There haven't been many updates as to the status of Ben Lively, but he's been seen in the dugout, which would suggest he's overcome the illness that's kept him out of the rotation. Lively was on a rehab assignment last month before being placed on the COVID-19-related IL.

Lively's rehab stint in which he allowed 10 hits and 10 runs in 5.2 innings of work isn't exactly what the Reds were hoping to see last month. But six of those earned runs came in less than inning during a start on August 13th and was Lively's first action since landing on the IL with a pectoral injury.

With Graham Ashcraft on the IL and Nick Lodolo out for the year, the current Cincinnati rotation is comprised of Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Brandon Williamson, and Connor Phillips. The Reds will eventually need a fifth starter, and it stands to reason that Ben Lively should be that guy.

Lively has already started 12 games for the Reds this season, and while the long ball has not been his friend, the right-hander brings a fire to the mound and isn't afraid to go at the opposing batter.

Lively has kept his walks in check, and if you set aside his two horrific performances against the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, the veteran has only allowed 24 runs in 66 innings (3.24 ERA). Ben Lively might be in line for more than just a spot-start this week.