Reds Graham Ashcraft Diagnosed With Elbow Strai

July 12: Manager David Bell told reporters on Friday that Ashcraft wont be back until September at the earliest ( via Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer). The Reds could move him to the 60-day injured list at some point given that timetable. July 11: The Reds optioned righty to Triple-A Louisville earlier in the week, but theyve now rescinded that transaction and instead placed Ashcraft on the major league 15-day injured list due to elbow discomfort. , Ashcraft reported elbow discomfort after being sent down. The teams medical staff examined the right-hander, discovered the strain, and recommended a platelet-rich plasma injection. Hes been shut down from throwing entirely for the next two weeks as the team waits to see how his elbow responds to the treatment. Its been a tough couple months for the 26-year-old Ashcraft, who entered the season locked into a rotation spot but was sent to Triple-A for a reset in early June on the heels of some Elgin Baylor Jersey notable struggles. He returned after three weeks when the Reds placed on the IL due to a blister i sue on his pitching hand. Ashcraft started the season well, to sing seven starts (39 1/3 innings) of 3.86 ERA ball with a below-average 18.6% strikeout rate but a sharp 7% walk rate and strong 51.2% grounder rate. He struggled greatly over his next six trips to the mound, however, posting a 7.71 ERA in 28 frames with a diminished 14.9% strikeout rate. Its not clear to what extent the elbow was bothering Ashcraft earlier in the season, but its worth pointing out that the big righty averaged 95.2 mph on his sinker over his first seven starts but has checked in at an average of 94.1 mph since. Hes also lost about a half mile per hour off his cutter and 1.4 mph off his slider, on average. The Reds arent providing a timetable right now, as Ashcrafts return (and any further treatment) hinges on the outcome from the PRP injection. For now, the club hasnt indicated that a major absence is a consideration or concern, but elbow strains in general are an ominous development for any pitcher. Ashcraft has cro sed over the two-year threshold in MLB service this season, meaning hes under club control for at least four more years through the 2028 campaign. However, hell still have multiple option years remaining beyond the current campaign, so its po sible that future optional a signments to Triple-A could push that free-agent window back even further. With Ashcraft squarely out of the rotation picture for the time being, righty will get an extended look as he aims to secure a starting job alongside , , and . The 26-year-old Spiers carries a 3.64 ERA, 17.9% strikeout rate and 5% walk rate through 42 innings five relief appearances and four starts. Jordan Bell Jersey