Fantasy News

• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Strikes out eight in win

  Rotowire Apr 14, 2024

  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: Picks up ugly win

  Rotowire Apr 8, 2024

  Ashcraft (1-1) earned the win Monday, allowing five earned runs, nine hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Brewers. He struck out six. Ashcraft labored through 5.2 innings and 99 pitches, leaving a high-scoring game in Cincinnati with the lead. Although he was roughed up for five earned runs and nine hits, the 26-year-old right-hander managed to generate 16 whiffs on his three-pitch mix. Ashcraft draws a much easier opponent in his next start, slated to be on the road against the White Sox.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Allows two homers in loss

  Rotowire Apr 2, 2024

  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: Makes final spring start

  Rotowire Mar 23, 2024

  Ashcraft allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings in Friday's spring start against Oakland. Ashcraft allowed runs in the first two innings then settled in before escaping a bases-loaded situation in the fifth after he walked three batters. The right-hander finished the Cactus League with a 5.52 ERA, 12 strikeouts and eight walks over 14.2 innings (four starts).

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Adds changeup

  Rotowire Feb 21, 2024

  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 Feb 21, 2024

  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 Feb 17, 2024

  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: Beginning physical therapy

  Rotowire Oct 20, 2023

  Ashcraft (toe) was scheduled to begin physical therapy this week, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Ashcraft underwent surgery in September to relieve a stress reaction in his big right toe. Physical therapy appears to be the first step in the recovery process, and he is expected to be 100 percent by the time spring training rolls around.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Shifts to 60-day IL

  Rotowire Sep 18, 2023

  The Reds transferred Ashcraft (toe) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday. The move to the 60-day IL officially ends Ashcraft's season, which comes as little surprise after reports emerged over the weekend that the right-hander would soon undergo surgery to address a stress reaction in his right big toe. Ashcraft is expected to be in store for a relatively normal offseason and should be fully cleared in advance of spring training. He finished the 2023 campaign with a 7-9 record, 4.76 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 111:52 K:BB over 145.2 innings across 26 starts with Cincinnati.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Officially on injured list

  Rotowire Sep 2, 2023

  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.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Battling sore toe

  Rotowire Sep 1, 2023

  Ashcraft was dealing with a sore toe during his start Friday against the Cubs, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. Ashcraft gave up three runs during the first game of Friday's doubleheader and left after five innings to get an MRI. He should be considered day-to-day until the results of that testing is made available.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Yields two runs in no-decision

  Rotowire Aug 27, 2023

  Ashcraft allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk over 6.2 frames in Sunday's loss to Arizona. He struck out five and did not factor in the decision. Ashcraft gave up one run through six innings before coughing up a solo shot to Lourdes Gurriel in the seventh. Ashcraft has allowed three or fewer runs in 11 consecutive starts, posting a 2.39 ERA during that span. His season ERA still sits at 4.73 alongside a 105:51 K:BB through 140.2 frames. Ashcraft's next start is projected to be at home against the Cubs.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Allows one run over seven frames

  Rotowire Aug 10, 2023

  Ashcraft did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings in a 5-4 loss against the Marlins. He struck out seven. Ashcraft surrendered a leadoff home run to Josh Bell in top of the fourth but was otherwise dominant, allowing only two other hits in the game, both of which came in the first inning. The right-hander threw 17 first-pitch strikes, and it was his third start this season in which he allowed just three hits. Ashcraft has now given up two earned runs or fewer in eight consecutive starts and has allowed one run or fewer in five of those eight starts. With Thursday's performance he lowered his season ERA to 4.95 and WHIP and 1.41.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Solid again in win

  Rotowire Jul 6, 2023

  Ashcraft (4-6) earned the win Wednesday, allowing one run on seven hits and three walks over six innings against the Nationals. He struck out two. After allowing a run in the first inning, Ashcraft rebounded to blank the Nats over his final five frames en route to his first win since May 28. The 25-year-old Ashcraft has now delivered consecutive quality starts after pitching to a 12.82 ERA in his previous eight outings. He'll head into the All-Star break with an unsightly 6.28 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP and 61:35 K:BB across 16 starts (81.2 innings)

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Activated from injured list

  Rotowire Jun 24, 2023

  The Reds reinstated Ashcraft (calf) from the 15-day injured list ahead of his start Saturday against Atlanta. After being placed on the injured list June 9 due to a comebacker that hit his left calf, Ashcraft will rejoin the Reds' rotation just in time to face one of the top offenses in baseball. Ashcraft made a start against Atlanta earlier this season, allowing two earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out seven batters through six frames. Alan Busenitz was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Almost fully healed

  Rotowire Jun 15, 2023

  Ashcraft is nearly fully healed from the left calf contusion which sent him to the injured list, MLB.com reports. Ashcraft will test out the calf with some running soon and, assuming he gets through that with no issues, will be cleared to throw off a mound. The right-hander could need three bullpen sessions before making a return sometime around when he's first eligible June 24, though he could also require a minor-league rehab assignment.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Collapses against Cards

  Rotowire May 23, 2023

  Ashcraft (2-3) took the loss Tuesday, surrendering seven runs on 10 hits over five innings as the Reds fell 8-5 to the Cardinals. He struck out five. The second-year right-hander was taken deep twice by Paul Goldschmidt as part of the St. Louis barrage. Ashcraft has been tagged for at least seven runs in three of his last four starts, serving up five homers in 17.1 innings over that stretch and sending his ERA soaring from 2.00 to 5.57 during his disastrous May. He'll try to regain his footing in his next outing, likely to come on the road this weekend against the Cubs.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Hit hard in loss

  Rotowire May 17, 2023

  Ashcraft (2-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and a walk over five innings against the Rockies. He struck out three. Ashcraft held the Rockies scoreless through four innings before imploding in the fifth, an inning in which he allowed five runs, followed by another two in the sixth. The 25-year-old Ashcraft has allowed 19 runs (18 earned) in his last three starts (12.1 innings) after he pitched to a 2.00 ERA over his first six outings. His ERA is now up to 4.84 with a 1.43 WHIP and 36:21 K:BB this season.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Ready to make start Friday

  Rotowire May 11, 2023

  Ashcraft (leg) is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Marlins in Miami, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. Ashcraft's most recent start Sunday against the White Sox came to an end in the second inning when he was struck in the leg by a comebacker, but he didn't suffer any sort of injury that will cause him to miss a turn through the rotation. The second-year righty had maintained a tidy 2.00 ERA and 1.17 WHIP through his first six starts of the season before he recorded just five outs against the White Sox while allowing eight earned runs on six hits and two walks.

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• Reds' Graham Ashcraft: Exits after being hit by comebacker

  Rotowire May 7, 2023

  Ashcraft was removed during the second inning of Sunday's game against the White Sox after being struck in the leg by a comebacker, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports. The right-hander was headed for an early exit regardless of the injury, as he ended up being charged with eight runs while he recorded just five outs. It was Ashcraft's worst start of the year by a wide margin, as he had given up just eight runs combined in his first six outings. The 25-year-old's status will likely be updated following Sunday's contest, but for now he should be considered day-to-day.

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