CINCINNATI \u2014 The Cincinnati Reds have officially announced their 2026 Opening Day starter.<\/p>\n
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks<\/a>]<\/p>\n Reds manager Terry Francona told Andrew Abbott that the left-hander will be Cincinnati\u2019s Opening Day starter, according to MLB.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n TRENDING STORIES:<\/p>\n He was in the training room when Francona told him in Goodyear, Arizona. <\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s awesome,\u201d said Abbott. \u201dI don\u2019t take anything for granted. I\u2019m honored to represent Cincinnati on that day. I know being there and seeing how big a holiday it is celebrated. It\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n He was a first-time All-Star last season with a 10-7 record and a 2.87 ERA in 29 starts. Abbott also threw over 166 innings. <\/p>\n This will be his first time pitching on Opening Day. <\/p>\n The Reds begin the 2026 season on March 26 when they host Francona\u2019s former team, the Boston Red Sox, at Great American Ball Park. <\/p>\n The game is on March 26 at 4:10 p.m. <\/p>\n