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.
The Reds voided Ashcraft's option to Triple-A Louisville and instead placed him on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a right elbow strain, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
The 26-year-old was demoted after giving up a run on six hits and three walks over 4.2 innings Sunday versus Detroit, but he'll end up making his way to the injured list rather than Louisville. According to Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Reds GM Nick Krall said Wednesday that Ashcraft began experiencing the tightness about a week ago and attempted to pitch through the issue before being optioned. The right-hander will be shut down from throwing for at least the next two weeks and will need multiple weeks beyond that to build his arm back up.
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: Bounces back with win
Rotowire
Ashcraft (5-4) picked up the win Tuesday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks across five-plus innings. He struck out three.
Ashcraft spent three weeks at Triple-A Louisville before allowing six runs in a start against the Pirates on June 26. He rebounded after struggling in his first start back in the bigs, blanking the Yankees over five innings before allowing a pair of singles and a walk and getting pulled without recording an out in the sixth. Ashcraft is expected to stick around for one more cycle in the Cincinnati rotation, with a start scheduled for Sunday against Detroit before Nick Lodolo (finger) returns from the injured list.
