Ashcraft walked one and struck out two over a scoreless inning in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Phillies.
Ashcraft, fresh off the injured list Friday, had a pair of scoreless outings over the weekend. Both appearances were in the seventh inning, as Ashcraft maintains a late-game role out of the Cincinnati bullpen. He has a 3.96 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP with 41 strikeouts and 15 walks across 36.1 innings.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Throws Wednesday
Rotowire
Ashcraft (groin) threw about 20 pitches in a live batting practice session Wednesday, Molly Burkhardt of MLB.com reports.
Ashcraft is closing in on a return following a couple of bullpen sessions over the weekend and then Wednesday's batting practice. The next step could be a brief rehab stint, or the Reds could opt to activate him, as the right-hander has completed the 15-day minimum on the IL.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Throws three perfect innings
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Ashcraft (2-2) struck out four over three hitless and scoreless innings to earn the win over the Cardinals on Thursday.
A rain delay limited starter Andrew Abbott to four innings, prompting the need for Ashcraft to work multiple frames. Ashcraft retired all nine batters he faced, extending his streak to 13 straight batters that have failed to reach base against him, including eight retired via strikeout. He's handled the transition from starter to reliever with aplomb, posting a 0.57 ERA over 15.2 innings.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Throws scoreless eighth inning
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Ashcraft allowed two hits over a scoreless eighth inning in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Giants.
Ashcraft worked around traffic with the help of a double-play grounder to earn his first hold. Cincinnati's late-game deployments are under scrutiny after the club placed closer Alexis Diaz (hamstring) on the injured list, and Ian Gibaut blew a save Opening Day. Going back to Ashcraft's days as a starter, Reds coaches have mused about the right-hander's makeup being suited for the bullpen, including as a closer. On Saturday, he worked in a set-up role for Emilio Pagan. This is a not a situation where once Diaz is healthy, he'll automatically get the closer's role back. He had trouble throwing strikes in limited Cactus League usage, which did not please manager Terry Francona.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Sharp in relief outing
Rotowire
Ashcraft walked one and struck out two over three scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's spring game against Kansas City.
Ashcraft was sharp in his first outing since losing out on the fifth spot in the rotation. He went 1-2-3 against the top of the Royals order in the fifth inning then added a scoreless sixth (walk, double play) and seventh, facing the minimum number of batters. Earlier in the day, manager Terry Francona decided on Carson Spiers over Ashcraft for the final rotation spot while Andrew Abbott (shoulder) will build up in extended spring training and eventually replace Spiers.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Struggles Friday
Rotowire
Ashcraft allowed three runs on three hits and four walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Friday's spring start against the White Sox.
Ashcraft allowed four of the first five batters to reach base before being pulled -- he re-entered in the second inning -- and it was a grind in his fifth Cactus League start. With news that Andrew Abbott had an encouraging controlled start in a minor-league game earlier this week, Ashcraft's bid to win a spot in the rotation may have taken a hit. If Abbott can't get ready for the start of the regular season, Ashcraft could take a turn or two in April.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Overcomes early stumble
Rotowire
Ashcraft allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out five over four innings in Sunday's spring start against the Angels.
Ashcraft was greeted by back-to-back doubles to open his fourth Cactus League start but settled in after that. Following the two doubles, he retired seven straight, worked around a couple of base runners in the third inning, then set down the side in order in the fourth. The right-hander then went to the bullpen to throw another 10 pitches, upping his total for the day to 75. With Andrew Abbott (shoulder) getting ready for his spring debut this week and unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, it looks like Ashcraft may open the regular season in the Reds' rotation.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Mixed results third time out
Rotowire
Ashcraft allowed five runs on eight hits and one walk with two strikeouts over 2.2 innings in Tuesday's split-squad start against the Rockies.
Both Ashcraft and manager Terry Francona believed the outing was better than the results indicate, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. "I thought in the first inning, he was really good," Francona said after the game. "The entire time, the ball came out of his hand really well." All five runs came home in the second inning, when a couple of soft-hit singles and a dribbler down the line contributed to the rally. There was also some loud contact in there, but that he sandwiched two scoreless innings around one unlucky one was a positive. This was Ashcraft's third Cactus League start, and the right-hander bumped his pitch count to 59 (37 strikes).
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Makes second spring start
Rotowire
Ashcraft allowed one run on one hit and two walks while striking out three over two-plus innings in Thursday's spring start against the Diamondbacks.
Ashcraft, who was making his second Cactus League start, retired the side in order in the first inning before running into trouble in the second. A couple of errors, including his own, and a walk led to a one-out, bases-loaded situation, but the right-hander escaped unscathed. After a leadoff double and a walk in the third inning, Ashcraft was pulled after 43 pitches (22 strikes). He told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com that he was pleased with his slider, which had a good shape and landed in the zone, and felt good to get out of the second-inning jam.
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Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Faces hitters Thursday
Rotowire
Ashcraft (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Ashcraft looks to be opening spring training without any restrictions after he didn't pitch after the All-Star break last season due to a right elbow strain. The 27-year-old will be vying for a spot in the Opening Day rotation, but with the Reds adding Brady Singer in the offseason, the team may not have a starting role available for Ashcraft. The right-hander could change minds with a strong showing in spring training, but his track record as a starter over parts of three big-league seasons isn't overly impressive (4.91 ERA, 1.52 WHIP in 328 innings), and his lack of reliable offerings beyond his big fastball and slider could make him a better fit in the bullpen.
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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: May not return in 2024
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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: 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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
