Before he left Sunday's spring training start with calf cramps, Ashcraft was reaching 100 mph on his fastball and getting more swings and misses, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite a fastball that averaged 97.2 mph last year, Ashcraft only managed a 15.3% strikeout rate and 8.8% swinging strike percentage. Ashcraft already threw hard, so added velocity alone won't be sufficient to guarantee better results this season. However, the reports of added swings-and-misses before his calf cramp were promising.

Manager David Bell said Monday that he expects Ashcraft (calf) to be available to start the next time his turn comes up in the Reds' Cactus League rotation, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft exited his most recent start Sunday against the Dodgers with what the team labeled as calf cramps, and after further evaluation, his injury doesn't appear to be any more serious than that. Assuming Ashcraft is able to complete a bullpen session Tuesday or Wednesday without incident, he should be ready to pitch in a game as soon as Friday.

Ashcraft was removed from Sunday's spring start against the Dodgers due to calf cramps, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's encouraging news for the 25-year-old, who exited Sunday's start during the third inning with an athletic trainer. Ashcraft should be able to make a quick return to the mound and will likely remain on track to begin the season as Cincinnati's No. 3 starter.

Ashcraft was removed from Sunday's Cactus League game against the Dodgers with an apparent leg injury, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 25-year-old started off with two scoreless frames but faltered during the third inning before spiking a pitch in the dirt and grabbing at his leg. The specifics of the situation remain unclear, but any absence at this point would likely affect Ashcraft's availability for the Opening Day rotation, for which he's already been named the No. 3 starter.

Reds manager David Bell announced Thursday that Ashcraft will begin the season as the team's No. 3 starter, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hunter Greene was named the Opening Day starter for the Reds on Thursday afternoon, and now Bell adds that Nick Lodolo will pitch the second game of the regular season with Ashcraft following in the third. Ashcraft, 25, worked to a 4.89 ERA and 71:30 K:BB over his first 105 major-league innings (19 starts) in 2022. He's trying to add more swing-and-miss this spring.

Ashcraft allowed two runs over two innings on three hits, a walk, a wild pitch and a hit batter in his spring training debut against the A's on Wednesday, striking out two. A primary focus for Ashcraft was to work on his slider, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft threw his slider just over 27% of the time last season in his rookie year, with better results than with is cutter or sinker. "It's come a long way. I threw 10 out of 15 [sliders] over the plate for strikes. It's hard to complain," Ashcraft said. "We've still got a little bit to go with it. We're going to see what happens with it."

Ashcraft will start Wednesday's Cactus League contest against the Athletics, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft dealt with an ankle injury early in spring camp, but the right-hander was able to throw a bullpen without issue on Friday, and the 25-year-old will be on the bump against the A's on Wednesday. In his rookie season, Ashcraft posted a 4.89 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 71:31 K:BB over 105 innings of work. He's expected to pitch in the middle of the Cincinnati rotation to open the 2023 campaign.

Ashcraft (ankle) threw a successful round of live batting practice Friday, Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft made an early exit from his last round of live BP after taking a comebacker off his right ankle, but the 25-year-old hasn't skipped a beat with his spring training throwing progression. He'll soon begin appearing in Cactus League games as he readies himself for a prominent spot in Cincinnati's starting rotation.

Reds manager David Bell said Tuesday that Ashcraft (ankle) won't have any setbacks to his spring throwing progression, Charlie Goldsmith of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft took a line drive off his right ankle while throwing live batting practice Monday in Reds camp, but he was walking normally soon after and should be ready to hop back on a mound later this week. The 25-year-old right-hander figures to open the 2023 campaign as the No. 3 starter in Cincinnati.

Ashcraft said that he was removed early from his live batting practice session Monday for precautionary reasons after he was struck in the right ankle by a comebacker, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander noted that he's OK and is walking completely normal after getting hit by a line drive, which apparently didn't result in him experiencing anything more than minor bruising or soreness to his ankle. Ashcraft looks on track to remain on his usual throwing progression this spring as he looks to stake his claim to a spot in Cincinnati's Opening Day rotation.