(Photo credit: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott was briefly delayed in his start to the 2025 season while working to strengthen his throwing shoulder after a strain prematurely ended his 2024 season.

The patient approach paid off, and Abbott has been a large part of the reason the Reds are making a strong playoff push entering the final five weeks of the regular season. Cincinnati stands 1 1/2 games out of the third and final wild-card spot in the National League.

Abbott (8-3, 2.28 ERA) will attempt to continue to build on the best of his three major league seasons when the 26-year-old faces the Arizona Diampndbacks in the second game of a weekend series Saturday in Phoenix.

Right-hander Nabil Crismatt (0-0, 1.80) will make his second start of the season for the Diamondbacks, who won the series opener 6-5 in 11 innings Friday after both teams scored in the 10th.

Abbott is second in the National League to Pittsburgh's Paul Skenes in ERA, and he ranks sixth in WHIP (1.08) and seventh in batting average against (.218). He named an NL All-Star in July.

Abbott joined the rotation on April 12, the Reds' 15th game, and has made 22 starts. He has faced the Diamondbacks once, taking a no-decision May 15, 2024, when he gave up one run in seven innings in a 2-1 Cincinnati loss.

Abbott, who had a career-high 10 wins in 25 starts last season, enters Saturday's game after one of the best starts.

Against the Milwaukee Brewers last Sunday, he pitched seven scoreless innings, giving up four hits and striking out seven without a walk. He left with a 1-0 lead and didn't figure into Cincinnati's 3-2 win in 10 innings, which snapped Milwaukee's 14-game winning streak.

After the game, he paid tribute to veteran catcher Alex Trevino.

'For the pitching staff, he's been great,' Abbott said of Trevino. 'He's been a veteran leader for us. He's been a good presence in the clubhouse, just treating everybody with respect, showing up every day, ready to play. You couldn't ask any more of him.'

Crismatt will make his second start since being recalled from Triple-A Reno on Sunday. He gave up one run and three hits in a no-decision against the Colorado Rockies that day, a 6-5 loss.

Crismatt retired the first 11 batters he faced in 33 pitches against the Rockies on Sunday, which was the fifth anniversary of his first major league appearance Aug. 17, 2020, while with the St. Louis Cardinals.

'That's what I go out for -- throw strikes and get outs as quick as possible,' Crismatt said. 'Hopefully all the outings go like that.'

Crismatt made 19 starts for Triple-A Lehigh in the Phillies' system before using an opt-out to sign with the Diamondbacks earlier this month. With the 2026 rotation in flux, he has an opportunity.

'He can manipulate the baseball,' Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. 'It's average 'velo,' but he throws pitches off of that and he can 'x' each edge of the strike zone. He can climb at the top of the zone. He can throw three different pitches at any time in any count. He's going to be able to read swings and adjust.'

Crismatt is 1-1 with a 4.32 ERA in six career relief appearances against Cincinnati.

--Field Level Media