The Pirates optioned Ashcraft to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft made two appearances for the Pirates this spring, giving up two earned runs on five hits while striking out four batters across 3.2 innings. He'll ultimately miss out on Pittsburgh's Opening Day rotation, but if the 25-year-old righty can put up a number anything close to the 0.44 ERA he logged over 20.1 frames in Indianapolis last year, he could be on track to debut sometime in 2025.

Ashcraft (forearm) threw a live batting practice session Monday, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft closed last season on Triple-A Indianapolis' 7-day injured list due to a forearm injury, but fortunately for the 25-year-old right-hander -- who previously had Tommy John surgery in 2021 -- he appears to have had a normal offseason and is restriction-free during camp. He'll likely be sent back to Indianapolis to begin the 2025 campaign, but health permitting, Ashcraft should make his MLB debut at some point this summer to join an impressive young Pittsburgh pitching corps that already includes Paul Skenes and Jared Jones and could also feature one of baseball's top pitching prospects in Bubba Chandler.

Triple-A Indianapolis placed Ashcraft on its 7-day injured list Saturday due to a right forearm injury, per MLB.com.

EDGE Analysis

It marks the third time since June 28 that Ashcraft has landed on the injured list. The last time he was on the IL was due to right elbow inflammation that caused him to miss a month and a half from mid-July. He pitched one inning Friday in his return, but he will now return to the IL and get further rehab done on his right arm.

Ashcraft (forearm) was reinstated from the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Indianapolis,Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft has been on the Triple-A IL since July 17 with lateral forearm tightness, but threw a live batting practice earlier this week and has now been cleared to return. The 24-year-old has a combined 2.88 ERA in 72 innings across Double-A and Triple-A.

Ashcraft (forearm) threw a live batting practice session earlier this week and is expected to be activated from the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Indianapolis later this week, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft last pitched for Indianapolis in early July, so he will have missed nearly two months of action by the time he returns. The 24-year-old might have pushed for a major-league debut this season if he hadn't missed so much time, but he and the Pirates are likely now eyeing 2025.

Ashcraft's placement on Triple-A Indianapolis' 7-day injured list July 12 was the result of recurrent symptoms of lateral forearm tightness, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

After suffering the injury during his July 6 start for Indianapolis, Ashcraft met with Dr. Keith Meister, who had previously performed the right-hander's Tommy John surgery in 2021. Fortunately for Ashcraft, his latest forearm issue was confirmed to be muscle-related, so the expectation is that he'll be able to recover from the injury with rest and rehab. Ashcraft resumed playing catch in late July and is still hopeful to return to action before the end of the 2024 season.

Triple-A Indianapolis placed Ashcraft on its 7-day injured list July 6 with an unspecified injury.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft had previously been placed on Indianapolis' IL on June 28 before being activated July 6, but it's unclear if his latest injury is related to the previous one or a new concern. While the IL stints in quick succession certainly aren't ideal, Ashcraft has otherwise continued to excel when he's been able to take the mound. Over his last 10 outings between Indianapolis and Double-A Altoona, Aschraft has rung up a 1.39 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 59:10 K:BB in 51.2 innings.

Ashcraft was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft has pitched very well with Double-A Altoona to begin the 2024 season, maintaining a 3.69 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with an excellent 63:8 K:BB across 53.2 innings. He's already on the 40-man roster, so if he continues to have the same level of success with Indianapolis, Ashcraft could be in line for his big-league debut at some point this summer.

Pittsburgh optioned Ashcraft to minor-league camp Monday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft, 24, allowed two unearned runs with a 3:2 K:BB over 3.2 frames this spring. The right-hander pitched well after making it back from Tommy John surgery last season, holding a 2.39 ERA and 63:11 K:BB over 52.2 innings across three levels. He'll likely open the 2024 campaign at either Double-A Altoona or Triple-A indianapolis.