Asher will start Thursday's game against the Nationals, CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Asher will take Vincent Velasquez's spot in the rotation, but he will get a pretty rough welcome back in a road start against the first place Nationals. This will be his first big league appearance since receiving an 80-game PED suspension in June. He has a 9.31 ERA in seven career big league starts, and is a low-upside/high-risk option for as long as he sticks in the Phillies' rotation.

Asher (calf) is in line to take the spot of Vincent Velasquez in the Phillies' rotation, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Asher had been on a rehab assignment with Double-A Reading, allowing three earned runs over seven innings in his last two outings. It sounds like he will take the rotation spot of Velasquez, who was shut down for the season following Saturday's start. Prior to the injury he had posted a 1.53 ERA over three starts (all wins) for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, so the Phillies will look to see if the 24-year-old can sustain that success at the Major League level during the season's final month. It sounds like that activation announcement could arrive as early as Monday.

Asher (shin/suspension) will begin his rehab assignment Tuesday at Rookie League Gulf Coast, Stephen Gross of The Morning Call reports.

EDGE Analysis

Asher hasn't pitched since May 17 and is currently serving an 80-game suspension for PED use at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Before that, he had a 2.30 ERA and was holding batters to a .193 average over 54.2 innings split between Double-A Reading and Lehigh Valley. If all goes smooth in his recovery from a shin fracture, Asher could be a September call-up, looking to improve on his 9.31 ERA over 29 innings in the majors from 2015.

Asher has been suspended 80 games for a testosterone-related PED violation, Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Asher, who is currently on the DL while rehabbing a calf issue, will now miss most, if not all, of the remainder of the 2016 season, barring a successful appeal, which seems unlikely. The right-hander had put together a strong start at Triple-A, amassing a 1.53 ERA and 3-0 record across four starts.

Asher will be sidelined for a month with a shin fracture, Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Asher left his last start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley after being hit in the leg by a ground ball. The initial diagnosis was a contusion, but further examination revealed a fracture.

Asher was placed on the disabled list at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday with a lower calf contusion, Andrew Kulp of CSN Philadelphia reports. The move was retroactive to May 18.

EDGE Analysis

Asher suffered the injury when he was hit in the leg by a batted ball. He has been pitching well since returning to Triple-A at the end of April. He is 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA and a 19:3 K:BB in 29.1 innings for Lehigh Valley.

Asher was promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old hasn't been able to miss bats at an acceptable clip since joining the Phillies organization last season, and this year has been no different, as he had 16 strikeouts in 25.1 innings at Double-A. He will be an option to join the Phillies' rotation at some point this year, but the fantasy upside will be minimal.

Asher was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

With Asher and David Buchanan both demoted, the No. 5 starter competition will come down to Vince Velasquez, Brett Oberholtzer and Adam Morgan. The 24-year-old Asher could make starts in the majors this season, but his minor league track record doesn't hint at much long-term upside.

Asher (0-6) lasted just two innings Saturday, giving up three earned runs on six hits while walking none and striking out one in a 5-2 loss to the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

Asher threw just 43 pitches in his Sept. 30 shellacking against the Mets, allowing him to start against Miami on short rest. The outing may have been ill-advised, as Asher was pummeled in his two innings, lasting just 44 pitches in game two of the doubleheader. The 23-year-old posted a 4.73 ERA in Triple-A Round Rock while still in the Rangers organization -- perhaps an indication that Asher is not ready to face big league hitting.

Asher will start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Marlins, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Asher just pitched Wednesday, but threw only 43 pitches before being pulled. He will likely only throw a few innings Saturday before the Phils turn the game over to their pen.