Graham Ashcraft - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

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SPRING TRAINING

Could close games Ashcraft could be used as the closer if Alexis Diaz does not win the role coming out of spring training, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. "I think we still hav...

Impact Diaz hasn't pitched a clean inning during Cactus League play, which included a disastrous outing March 15 that prompted him to work on delivery issues with pitching coach Derek Johnson. The pitcher then had a command-challenged outing against minor leaguers Friday, which set off speculation that Diaz may not be the closer and could open the regular season in the minors. Going back to 2024, there's been chatter about Ashcraft having the makeup of a high-leverage reliever. After he competed for the rotation during spring training, Ashcraft was shifted to the bullpen last week and pitched three scoreless relief innings Thursday. "We've all kind of teetered on that idea and what it would look like," Johnson, the pitching coach, said about Ashcraft as a reliever. "Obviously, we haven't seen it so we don't know. But he could be kind of that really nice piece in the bullpen that we didn't have to go out and acquire." Diaz is expected to throw an inning in the Reds' Cactus League finale Sunday, which could provide an indication about who will work as the team's closer when the season kicks off Thursday against the Giants.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Sharp in relief outing Ashcraft walked one and struck out two over three scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's spring game against Kansas City.

Impact 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.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Why Cincinnati Reds' Graham Ashcraft wants closer role and why Reds believe he can do it "He's certainly got the demeanor. He's got the stuff," Cincinnati Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson said of Graham Ashcraft's closer qualifi...

4 DAYS AGO • CINCINNATI.COM

Carson Spiers becomes Reds fifth starter and Andrew Abbott will go on the injured list

Carson Spiers will enter the season as the Cincinnati Reds’ fifth starter and Andrew Abbott will go on the injured list

5 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shifted to bullpen Ashcraft will open the season in the Reds' bullpen, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Ashcraft was stretched out this spring as a potential starting option, but he will begin the season in a bullpen role. It's possible he will still get a look as a starting pitcher again down the line, but Ashcraft's repertoire might be better suited for the bullpen, anyway.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Struggles Friday 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Overcomes early stumble Ashcraft allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out five over four innings in Sunday's start against the Angels.

Impact 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, it looks like Ashcraft may open the regular season in the Reds' rotation.

MARCH 10 • ROTOWIRE

Look: Reds Release Lineup for Matchup Against Angels The Reds face off against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Graham Ashcraft will start for the Reds and is...

MARCH 9 • SI.COM

Mixed effort third time out 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.

Impact 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).

MARCH 5 • ROTOWIRE

Makes second spring start 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.

Impact Ashcraft, who made his second Cactus League start, retired the side in order in the first 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 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 the slider, which had a good shape and landed in the zone, and felt good to get out of second-inning jam.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Throws two scoreless innings Ashcraft allowed one hit and struck out one over two scoreless innings in Saturday's split-squad spring game against the Brewers.

Impact That's a strong start for Ashcraft, who is looking to claim a spot in the Reds' rotation. This was the first time pitching in a game environment since he was placed on the injured list last July with elbow soreness. Once a lock for the rotation, Ashcraft needs to win a spot this spring. He told C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic that he picked up good routines during rehab and it carried over into Saturday's outing. With a couple of starter candidates delayed this spring -- Andrew Abbott (shoulder) and Rhett Lowder (elbow) -- Ashcraft is in a good position to claim a spot in the rotation, although ever since he was drafted in 2019, the team has discussed a move to the bullpen. The right-hander said he's open for either role.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Saturday Ashcraft will start one of the Reds' split-squad games Saturday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Impact Ashcraft was a rotation lock the last two spring trainings, but that's not the case in 2025. The right-hander was limited to 15 starts (5.24 ERA) and was shut down for the second half of the season with a Grade 1-2 ulnar collateral sprain in his right elbow in 2024. He was able to resume throwing in the fall and pitched in an instructional league game, after which Ashcraft was told he could have a normal offseason. Saturday's opportunity gives him a head start on two other rotation candidates. Both Andrew Abbott (shoulder) and Rhett Lowder (elbow) are on a slower path to begin spring training. The Reds have also considered Ashcraft as a potential arm for the bullpen.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

'Healthy and strong' Ashcraft looks to make case for rotation GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The past two Spring Trainings, as part of the Reds' young "Big Three" starting pitcher trio with Hunter Greene and Nick L...

FEBRUARY 20 • MLB.COM

Faces hitters Thursday Ashcraft (elbow) threw a live batting practice session Thursday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Bullpen option? The Reds believe Ashcraft (elbow) could be a bullpen weapon, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact Apparently, the Reds held this belief since Ashcraft was drafted, but starters are more valuable, and he had some success in that role initially. Cincinnati added to the rotation during the offseason, and if all are healthy, Ashcraft would be outside the rotation.

FEBRUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Look: Reds Assign Jersey Number to Brady Singer, Graham Ashcraft Changes Number for 2025 It's jersey number season!

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • SI.COM

Ruled out for rest of season Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that Ashcraft (elbow) has resumed throwing but is unlikely to return this season, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact 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. It was a disappointing 2024 campaign for Ashcraft, who posted a 5.24 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 15 starts for the Reds.

AUGUST 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Could begin throwing within 10 days 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.

Impact 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.

AUGUST 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to 60-day IL The Reds transferred Ashcraft (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Monday.

Impact The transaction frees up 40-man roster space for Eric Yang, who had his contract selected Monday. Ashcraft is nursing a right elbow strain and won't be eligible to return until September, although it's possible his season is over.

JULY 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

May not return in 2024 Manager David Bell said Friday that Ashcraft (elbow) won't be able to come back until September if he's able to return in 2024, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports...

Impact Ashcraft had his demotion to Triple-A Louisville voided and was placed on the injured list with a right elbow strain. Previous reports indicated that Ashcraft would be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks, but the injury may require a longer recover than initially anticipated. Carson Spiers has been operating as the Reds' fifth starter in Ashcraft's place.

JULY 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned voided, sent to IL 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 Cincinnat...

Impact 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. Ashcraft has a 6.91 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 17:9 K:BB over his past six starts, though it's unclear how long he's been dealing with the injury. He's without a clear timeline for his return but will be eligible to be reinstated early in the second half, though he may still be sent to the minors once healthy.

JULY 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Heads back to minors The Reds optioned Ashcraft to Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Impact 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 of work. Nick Lodolo (blister) is expected back this week and the Reds have elected to keep Carson Spiers in their rotation over Ashcraft.

JULY 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Allows one run in short outing 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.

Impact 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.

JULY 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Bounces back with win Ashcraft (5-4) picked up the win Tuesday against the Yankees, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks across five innings. He struck out three.

Impact 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.

JULY 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rough return to majors 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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Carson Spiers becomes Reds fifth starter and Andrew Abbott will go on the injured list