Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Ruled out for rest of season
Rotowire
Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that Ashcraft (elbow) has resumed throwing but is unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list this season, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Ashcraft has missed nearly two months of action with a right elbow strain and is simply going to run out of time to get ramped back up. The good news is that he should be able to have a normal offseason if he keeps progressing. The 2024 season will go down as a disappointing one for Ashcraft, who posted a 5.24 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 15 starts for the Reds.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Could begin throwing within 10 days
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Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Ashcraft (elbow) could begin a throwing program within the next 10 days, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Ashcraft has been out since early July with a right elbow strain. He will need about six weeks to ramp things back up before he's ready for games, so even in a best-case scenario the right-hander is probably looking at just one or two late-season appearances.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: May not return in 2024
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Manager David Bell said Friday that Ashcraft (elbow) won't be able to come back until September if he's able to return at all in 2024, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Ashcraft had his demotion to Triple-A Louisville voided earlier this week, and he was placed on the injured list with a right elbow strain instead. Previous reports indicated that Ashcraft would be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks, but the injury may require a longer recovery than initially anticipated. Carson Spiers has shifted into the fifth starter role in Ashcraft's place.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Heads back to minors
Rotowire
The Reds optioned Ashcraft to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.
Ashcraft's latest stint in the Reds rotation lasted three turns, and he allowed 10 runs with an 8:6 K:BB over 15 innings. Nick Lodolo (finger) is expected to return from the 15-day injured list later this week, and the Reds have elected to keep Carson Spiers as their No. 5 starter over Ashcraft.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Allows one run in short outing
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Ashcraft (5-5) yielded a run on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings Sunday, striking out two and taking a loss against Detroit.
Ashcraft gave up just one run in the fourth inning but was still stuck with the loss as the Reds couldn't get much going against Tarik Skubal. Ashcraft has not completed six innings in an MLB start since May 1; since then, he's gone 2-4 with a brutal 6.54 ERA over nine appearances. He now owns a 5.24 ERA with a 57:27 K:BB through 77.1 innings. As of now, it's unclear if Ashcraft will get another turn in the rotation. If he does, he could be in line for a home matchup against the Marlins.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Rough return to majors
Rotowire
Ashcraft (4-4) took the loss Wednesday as the Reds were downed 6-1 by the Pirates, surrendering six runs on nine hits and a walk over 5.1 innings. He struck out three.
Making his first start in the big leagues since June 5, Ashcraft served up a solo shot to Rowdy Tellez in the fourth inning and a two-run blast to Andrew McCutchen in the fifth. The right-hander has been touched up for 11 long balls in 67.2 innings with Cincinnati this season, helping to fuel his 5.45 ERA. It's not clear how long Nick Lodolo will be sidelined with a blister, but the Reds don't seem to have a better option for his rotation spot. Assuming he gets another start, Ashcraft's homer issues will make him a very risky fantasy play in his next outing, which lines up to come on the road early next week in Yankee Stadium.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Recalled ahead of start
Rotowire
The Reds recalled Ashcraft from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday.
Ashcraft will get the start Wednesday against the Pirates, taking the rotation spot of the injured Nick Lodolo (finger). The right-hander has struggled at the big-league level this season, collecting a 5.05 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 62.1 innings over 12 starts. He appeared to get back on track in two starts with Louisville, giving up a total of four runs with a 12:2 K:BB over 12 innings. Ashcraft will likely be needed for multiple starts and will try to make a case to stick in the Reds rotation indefinitely.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Could take Lodolo's spot
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Ashcraft is a candidate to be called up from Triple-A Louisville to start in place of Nick Lodolo (blister), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Ashcraft has turned in consecutive quality starts since his demotion to Louisville, yielding a total of four runs with a 12:2 K:BB over 12 innings. He's currently slated to start Wednesday for Louisville, but the Reds don't have a starter listed for that day. Lodolo isn't eligible to return until July 9, so Ashcraft would likely be needed for multiple starts if he's indeed the choice.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Focusing on changeup
Rotowire
Ashcraft has thrown 12 innings at Triple-A Louisville since his demotion, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out 12. He's been instructed to work on his changeup to improve his off-speed offerings, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Ashcraft could be back in the majors soon. "It's a matter of time," Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson said. "If he has another good start or whatever, we have a decision to make."
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Sent down to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Reds optioned Ashcraft to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.
Ashcraft got off to a decent enough start this season, but things unraveled for him over the last month, as he posted a 6.83 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB over 27.2 frames covering his last six starts. It's not yet clear how the Reds plan to fill his spot in the rotation, but shifting the versatile Nick Martinez back to a starting role is an option. Brandon Williamson (shoulder) remains on the 60-day injured list but is another candidate to fill the void, as he made the fourth start of his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Louisville, tossing four scoreless innings.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Another short outing in Colorado
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Ashcraft allowed four runs on six hits against the Rockies on Wednesday in a no-decision. He struck out two.
All four of Colorado's runs off Ashcraft came in the first inning on five singles. While he ultimately escaped with a no-decision, it was another tough outing for Ashcraft, who's now failed to pitch through six innings in six straight starts. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander is 4-3 with a 5.05 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB across seven starts (62.1 innings) this season. Ashcraft's currently scheduled to face the Guardians at home in his next outing.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Goes 4.2 innings vs. Cubs
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Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Cubs, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.
It's the fifth straight start that Ashcraft's failed to record an out in the sixth inning -- he's allowed at least three runs in each of those outings. The 26-year-old right-hander is 4-3 on the year with a 4.76 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 47:21 K:BB across 11 starts (58.2 innings). The Reds will look for more length out of Ashcraft in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in Colorado.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Quality start in no-decision
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Ashcraft allowed one earned run on seven hits and no walks while striking out three batters across 6.1 innings during Friday's loss against Texas. He didn't factor into the decision.
Ashcraft needed to bounce back nicely Friday after giving up five runs to the Angels in five innings during his last start. He managed to do just that, as his lone blemish came in the second inning via an Evan Carter solo home run. A lack of production from the Reds' offense forced Ashcraft to settle for a no-decision, and he will carry a 4.40 ERA and 1.29 WHIP into his next start -- currently projected to come Wednesday in San Diego.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Grabs third win
Rotowire
Ashcraft (3-1) earned the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing five runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four over five-plus innings.
Three of the five runs against Ashcraft scored in the sixth inning as the right-hander ran out of steam -- he allowed a two-run homer to Miguel Sano in the sixth and reliever Nick Martinez allowed an inherited runner to score. The bullpen was scoreless from that point and in turn secured Ashcraft his third win already in the early going. He doesn't miss a ton of bats -- Ashcraft got a modest nine swings and misses Saturday -- and as a result he should be considered a volatile option best deployed judiciously by fantasy mangers. He tentatively lines up for a home start against the Phillies next week.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Strikes out eight in win
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Ashcraft (2-1) earned the win Sunday over the White Sox, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out eight.
After needing 99 pitches to complete 5.2 inning during his last start, Ashcraft needed 104 to complete 5.2 innings Sunday, though this performance was far more effective than his last outing that resulted in five runs allowed. The eight strikeouts were a season high for the righty, who earned his second win of the season. Through 17.1 innings, Ashcraft has accumulated 19 strikeouts against just four walks for a K/BB of 4.8, more than doubling last year's rate of 2.1 when he struck out 111 and walked 52 over 145.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to toe the rubber during a weekend set at home next week against the Angels.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Allows two homers in loss
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Ashcraft (0-1) took the loss versus the Phillies on Tuesday after allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk in six innings. He struck out five.
Ashcraft was a victim of the long ball in the first and fourth innings, both off the bat of Bryce Harper. He otherwise held the Phillies' bats in check and threw an efficient 85 pitches over six innings but was unable to get much run support. The 25-year-old had a later start to spring training than most after taking extended time to recover from offseason toe surgery, but he looked sharp overall outside of two mistake pitches. Ashcraft will look to have better fortune his next start, which tentatively lines up against the Brewers to open next week.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Adds changeup
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Ashcraft added a changeup to his repertoire during the offseason, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.
Ashcraft busted out the new pitch during a live session last Saturday, throwing four of them. The right-hander said he's working on the pitch in camp and is not ready to use it in games. The change adds a fourth pitch to his arsenal, which includes a cutter, slider and sinker. "If I can throw the two-seamer for strikes and the slider for the strikes, I think everything else will take care of itself," Ashcraft said. While the Reds are delaying his Cactus League debut, the club maintains Ashcraft is on track for Opening Day.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Behind other starters
Rotowire
Ashcraft is a few days behind other starters after undergoing right big toe surgery last September, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Atheltic reports.
The delay doesn't sound like a major concern; the team said it's mostly about Ashcraft's conditioning. If he's only be a few days behind other starters, Ashcraft's bid for a rotation spot should not be affected.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Ready for spring games
Rotowire
Ashcraft (toe) will be ready for the start of Cactus League play, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Ashcraft had said Tuesday that his toe was still not quite at 100 percent following his surgery in September, but it appears the 26-year-old has made significant progress since then. Ashcraft will look to cement himself in Cincinnati's rotation during the spring after posting a 4.76 ERA and 1.37 WHIP across 145.2 innings last season.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Officially on injured list
Rotowire
The Reds placed Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a stress reaction in his right big toe.
Ashcraft pitched five innings Friday against the Cubs before leaving the game to get an MRI on his toe. He'll now officially miss multiple turns through the rotation and be replaced on the roster by Chasen Shreve, who was selected from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.
