In the majors, Abernathy went 1–1 with a 3.64 earned run average (ERA), one save and six strikeouts in 16 games, one start.

After his playing career, Abernathy was a repairman in Chesnee, South Carolina for 30 years.

In 1939, Abernathy began his professional career with the Class-D Salisbury Bees of the North Carolina State League.

[3] During the Western Association playoffs in 1942, Abernathy won two games for the Giants who went on to win the league pennant.

With the Millers that season, Abernathy went 9–13 with a 4.59 earned run average (ERA) and 80 strikeouts in 32 games, 25 starts.

On July 25, 1946, the New York Giants acquired Abernathy from the Minneapolis Millers in exchange for pitchers Bob Joyce and Rube Fischer, and cash considerations.

Abernathy resided in Chesnee, South Carolina where he worked as a repairman at the Reeves Brothers Textile Plant for 30 years until his retirement.