Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) is set to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ashcraft has been slow-played in spring training after having surgery on his toe last September, but he's ready to go now and is expected to part of the team's Opening Day starting rotation, barring a setback with his toe this spring. The 26-year-old former sixth-round pick out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham went 7-9 in his second big-league season in 2023 with a 4.76 ERA (5.06 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 52 walks and 111 strikeouts in 145 2/3 innings over 26 starts. He started strong last year before eventually falling apart. Despite his high velocities, he's been a disappointment so far in the strikeout department.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) is to be scheduled for his first Cactus League start "within the next week," according to manager David Bell. Meanwhile, left-hander Nick Lodolo's (leg) spring training debut would be a bit behind Ashcraft's. The 26-year-old Ashcraft is returning from surgery on his right big toe last September and is being slow-played in spring training. He has already faced hitters in camp, though, and barring a setback with his toe once he starts pitching in Cactus League games, he should open the 2024 season in the Reds' starting rotation. However, his lack of strikeout upside is a hindrance to his fantasy relevance in mixed leagues. Lodolo, who made only seven starts in 2023 due to a stress reaction in his tibia, has much more fantasy appeal for his high-strikeout upside, but he's also more of an injury risk.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Aschcraft (toe) has added a changeup to his arsenal of a fastball, cutter, slider and sinker. He did not make any mechanical adjustments in the offseason, but he's worked on improving how he times his delivery. Ashcraft is slightly behind the others pitchers in camp after having surgery in the offseason to fix fractures to the big and second toes of his right foot in September. The 26-year-old has still thrown off a mound three times and is considered on track for Opening Day, though. Ashcraft's toe injury affected him late in the year, and he finished 7-9 with a 4.76 ERA overall in 26 starts in 2023. He started off with a 2.00 ERA in his first six starts. If Ashcraft's new changeup can generate more swings and misses, he could become a streaming option in deep-mixed leagues.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) is a little bit behind the other pitchers in spring training after right big-toe surgery in September. He is a few days behind the other starters, but it's mostly about conditioning. It sounds like Ashcraft's toe won't be an issue as he prepares for the start of the 2024 regular season. The 26-year-old should be ready for Opening Day, barring a setback this spring. In his second big-league season in 2023, Ashcraft went 7-9 with a 4.76 ERA (5.06 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 52 walks and a career-high 111 strikeouts in 145 2/3 innings pitched over 26 starts for the Reds. He started the season strong before eventually falling apart and needing surgery to close out the season. Despite throwing very hard, Ashcraft's strikeout numbers have left a lot to be desired.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft (toe) is ready to pitch in Spring Training games, manager David Bell told the media on Saturday. The former sixth-round pick wasn't incredibly effective last year, posting a 5.06 FIP, 6.86 K/9, and 1.42 HR/9. However, he was a readily available option for Cincinnati, staying healthy long enough to make 26 starts. The toe issue didn't pop up until early September, at which point he was placed on the 15-day injured list (and eventually shut down for the year). Now healthy again, Ashcraft projects to open the year in the middle of the Reds' rotation.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft (toe) had surgery on his big right toe in September. He threw a live bullpen session against hitters on Monday, but he's still managing his comeback from surgery and said that some days are better than others. "We got a plate in it, and I stayed off it for a month," Ashcraft said. "I've finally built back up. It's starting to get better, but it's one of those things we'll have to piece together. It'll take its time to get feeling right, but I know I'll be good by the season." The 26-year-old right-hander went 7-9 with a 4.76 ERA (5.06 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 52 walks and a career-high 111 strikeouts in 145 2/3 frames over 26 starts in his second big-league season in 2023. Ashcraft is probably going to need to strike out more hitters to be worth rostering in most mixed leagues in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball.

Cincinnati Reds general manager Nick Krall said that starting pitchers Nick Lodolo (leg) and Graham Ashcraft (toe) are on track to be ready for spring training next year. Lodolo did not require surgery for an injured left tibia that limited him to only seven starts in his second big-league season in 2023. The young left-hander also dealt with a calf injury. Despite the injuries and basically a lost season, the 25-year-old southpaw has a lot of strikeout upside and will have a locked in spot in Cincy's starting rotation in 2024 as long as he's healthy. Lodolo had an ERA over 6.00 in his seven starts this year, but he posted a 3.66 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 131 K's in 103 1/3 innings in his rookie season in 2022. Ashcraft had surgery in September to fix a stress reaction in his big right toe. The 25-year-old righty went 7-9 with a 4.76 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 26 starts in his second major-league campaign in 2023.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft (toe) is scheduled to begin physical therapy this week, according to beat writer C. Trent Rosecrans. Ashcraft will be rehabbing at the team's facility in Arizona and he's expected to be ready for spring training. The 25-year-old pitcher had surgery on his right big toe in September. Ashcraft had an up-and-down 2023 season, looking sharp at times (2.03 ERA in seven starts from early July through early August), and downright bad other times (12.82 ERA in eight starts from early May through late June). However, he did finish the season strong before the toe issue started to nag him. He ended the year with a 4.76 ERA, 1.373 WHIP, and 111:52 K/BB ratio over 145 2/3 innings (26 starts).

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft (toe) has been officially placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday. This was the expectation after Ashcraft suffered a right toe injury. The right-hander pitched through the issue during his last start on Monday versus the Chicago Cubs. The team has decided to give Ashcraft some extra rest and place him on the IL. In a corresponding move, left-hander Chasen Shreve has been recalled from the minors. Also, right-hander Connor Phillips has been recalled with the Reds having multiple players out due to COVID-19. The assumption is that Phillips moves into the starting rotation, but so he could have streaming appeal depending on his matchup.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft (toe) is likely to require a trip to the injured list, according to manager David Bell. The right-hander pitched through toe soreness during Monday's game against the Chicago Cubs. It appears the Reds have decided to give the 25-year-old some extra time off to rest and recover. The team hasn't officially placed him on the 15-day injured list, so they will likely name his replacement when they do that.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (toe) dealt with a sore toe in his start in the first game of a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs on Friday and went for an MRI exam. Ashcraft lost his ninth game of the year by allowing three earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out six in his five innings of work. The 25-year-old now sports a 4.76 ERA on the season and should be considered day-to-day until his MRI results come back. Ashcraft came into Friday's start with a 4.73 ERA (5.10 FIP), 1.37 WHIP, 51 walks and 105 strikeouts in 140 2/3 innings over his 25 starts in his second big-league campaign. With just a 17.4 percent strikeout rate, he's been a matchup-based streamer in deeper fantasy leagues in 2023.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft took the loss on Tuesday when he allowed three runs on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts over seven innings in a 3-0 shutout defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Guardians. Ashcraft wasn't at his best in this one as he dealt with a lot of traffic on the base pads. He allowed a single to Steven Kwan and a double to Jose Ramirez in the first inning before Kole Calhoun drove in both with a single. He settled in after that and still pitched well enough to give the Reds a chance to win but they couldn't muster any runs. After a horrible start to the season, Ashcraft has really picked things up over this second half. He's notched a quality start in 8-of-9 turns since June 30 and will look to keep it going against the Blue Jays in his next start. For the season, Ashcraft owns a 6-8 record, 4.89 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 90:48 K/BB ratio over 127 innings (23 starts).

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft hurled seven one-run innings on three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in Wednesday's start versus the Miami Marlins. He didn't factor into the decision. Josh Bell took Ashcraft yard in the fourth frame, but the 25-year-old put forth yet another strong effort otherwise. Ashcraft crumbled throughout May and June after an excellent start to the year, but he's revived in a huge way since June 30. In his last eight starts, the hard-throwing right-hander sports a sparkling 1.94 ERA over 51 innings with seven of eight showings being quality starts. Ashcraft looks to keep the good times rolling during an advantageous draw versus the Cleveland Guardians scheduled for Tuesday.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft turned in another encouraging start in Monday's 3-2 loss to the Brewers. Ashcraft took a no-decision, allowing two runs on five hits (including a home run) and four walks with eight strikeouts through 5 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old has turned things around after a very rough May and beginning of June and has now allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last five starts. Ashcraft has shown signs of fantasy promise throughout his career, and it may be time to consider rostering him again. However, his next start will be at the Dodgers, which fantasy managers may want to avoid despite his recent success.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft (calf) will return and start Saturday's meeting versus the Braves. The 25-year-old right-hander has been out a few weeks after taking a comebacker during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. While fantasy managers will be glad to have an arm back in the lineup, Ashcraft has gone 3-5 with a 6.78 ERA in 2023, so he may only prove useful when the matchup is favorable.

Cincinnati Reds starter Graham Ashcraft (calf) was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 9 after taking a comebacker off of his leg in his last start on June 8. According to manager David Bell, though, the soreness is almost completely healed. However, before Ashcraft begins throwing again, he will need to test his leg with some running drills. The second-year arm should still be back with the Reds before the calendar flips to July. Over 65 innings this season, Ashcraft is sporting an ugly 6.78 ERA and 1.62 WHIP with just 50 punchouts, 30 walks, and three victories. Fantasy owners can drop the 25-year-old everywhere and replace him with someone that provides production in at least one category.

The Cincinnati Reds placed right-hander Graham Ashcraft (calf) on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a left-calf contusion and recalled right-hander Ricky Karcher from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Ashcraft said he'd be fine after taking a comebacker off his leg in his outing on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but that's not the case after all. The 25-year-old's season statistics aren't fine, either, as he's sporting an elevated 6.78 ERA (5.11 FIP), 1.61 WHIP, 30 walks, a league-high 49 earned runs allowed and 50 strikeouts in 65 innings covering 13 starts for the Reds. They'll use his injury to give him some time away, and there's no guarantee he'll rejoin the rotation when he's ready. Left-handed prospect Andrew Abbott will have a chance to prove he belongs in the rotation the rest of the way.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft (calf, knee) said his knee locked up after he was hit in the calf by a comebacker during his start on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he expects to be fine in two to three days. Ashcraft said something similar happened earlier in the year and he was fine. The 25-year-old right-hander took his fifth loss of the season on Thursday against the Dodgers after giving up three runs on three hits while walking two and only striking out one in just 2 2/3 innings. The poor outing raised his season ERA to 6.78. He came into Thursday's start having allowed a league-high 46 earned runs on 72 hits (nine homers surrendered), so he has no business being rostered in mixed leagues right now.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft gave up seven earned runs in five innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. Ashcraft's season began with six straight starts allowing two earned runs or fewer. His season turned on a dime against the Chicago White Sox on May 7, when he gave up eight earned runs in only 1 2/3 innings of work. In his last four starts, Ashcraft has given up seven or more earned runs three times. Ashcraft possesses a 96-mph cutter with great spin, but he isn't generating enough whiffs to be a reliable source of strikeouts. Until he shows improvement, Ashcraft is best left on the waiver wire, where he can't hurt you.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (calf) is listed as the team's starter for Friday's Cactus League contest against the Cleveland Guardians. Ashcraft had to be removed early from his last spring start due to cramps in his calf, but he looks to be good to go to get back on the bump later this week in a night game in Arizona. The hard-throwing 25-year-old may be better served as a reliever, but the rebuilding Reds will use him in their rotation after he went 5-6 with a 4.89 ERA (4.21 FIP), 1.42 WHIP and 15.3 percent strikeout rate in 19 starts in 2022 in his rookie season. Ashcraft needs to improve his secondary pitches before he's to be considered as anything more than an NL-only asset.