A former Chicago Cubs second-round selection and relief pitcher has reentered free agency following his release by the Seattle Mariners earlier this week, as reported by the MLB Transactions wire.
Cory Abbott, a 28-year-old right-handed pitcher, made a single start with Triple-A Tacoma, surrendering three earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two.
During the initial two weeks of spring training, Abbott was part of the Mariners’ Major League camp before being reassigned to the minor-league camp. He had signed a minor league contract with the Mariners in January.
Having spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Washington Nationals, Abbott established himself in a part-time reliever role, tallying a record of 1-7 with a 5.87 ERA across 38 games, including nine starts. He recorded 85 strikeouts but issued 44 walks during this time.
In 2021, Abbott briefly played for the Chicago Cubs, making his Major League debut without registering a decision in seven games, including one start, and posting a 6.75 ERA. Following that season, he was designated for assignment by the Cubs and subsequently traded to the San Francisco Giants, who later waived him before he joined the Nationals.
Abbott was selected by the Chicago Cubs from Loyola Marymount in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Progressing through the Cubs’ minor league system, he had a notable season in 2019 with the Tennessee Smokies, compiling an 8-8 record with a 3.01 ERA while leading the league with 166 strikeouts.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbott did not play in the minors in 2020, but the Cubs included him on the 40-man roster and promoted him to the Majors in 2021.
