The Reds placed Ashcraft on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right biceps soreness.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft had been confirmed to start Wednesday's game in Philadelphia, so the biceps soreness may have cropped up in his most recent bullpen session following his last outing Friday in Pittsburgh. Right-hander T.J. Zeuch was one of three players called up from Triple-A Louisville, and he could enter the rotation Wednesday if he isn't needed out of the bullpen Tuesday. Ashcraft had gotten off to a nice start to the second half, having posted a 3.29 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 32:11 K:BB across 38.1 innings coming out of the All-Star break. Per Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Ashcraft is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Wednesday, but since the rookie right-hander isn't dealing with any elbow pain, the Reds are hopeful he'll pitch again in 2022, according to manager David Bell.

Ashcraft yielded three runs on nine hits and a walk over 6.2 frames in Friday's loss to Pittsburgh. He struck out eight and did not factor in the decision.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft rolled through five shutout frames without much resistance before the Pirates broke through in the sixth inning. The 24-year-old rookie tied a season best with eight strikeouts while firing 62 of 85 pitches for strikes. He's sporting a 3.97 ERA with a 64:23 K:BB through 16 starts. Ashcraft is projected to start in Philadelphia next week.

Ashcraft (5-3) took the loss against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out four and walking three over 6.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft threw 65 of 102 pitches for strikes in Saturday's contest, and he struggled to keep runners of the basepaths, resulting in three earned runs across 6.1 frames. The righty has allowed four or more hits in all but one of his 15 games this season, resulting in 92 hits across 86.1 innings to go along with 56 strikeouts. Despite the three-run outing, Ashcraft picked up a quality start, his second of the month and his eighth of the season. He will take a 3.96 ERA into his next outing.

Ashcraft had his contract selected by the Reds on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Cincinnati placed multiple players on the restricted list that can't travel to Canada, and Ashcraft will join the club to provide bullpen depth. The 24-year-old has started seven games at Triple-A Louisville this season and has a 2.48 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 30:17 K:BB over 32.2 innings, but he's not expected to start this weekend in Toronto with Luis Castillo, Hunter Greene and Connor Overton lining up to start for the Reds.

Ashcraft has a 1.99 ERA over 22.2 innings at Triple-A Louisville, albeit with a 1.71 WHIP. He has 18 strikeouts, but has allowed 10 walks and 28 hits, plus he's allowed nine unearned runs, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

While it's natural to look for help from the minors to prop up the Reds' struggling rotation, Ashcraft isn't ready yet. "Graham Ashcraft is in Triple-A and not the big leagues because that's the best place for him," Krall said. "He needs to go through the development process and continue to get better there. He's had a couple of really good games. He's had a couple of games where he has been so-so."

Ashcraft allowed one run over three innings in Monday's spring training game against the Cubs, topping out at 100 mph while mostly working in the 96-99 mph range, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft struggled at times with his control, hitting back-to-back batters in his second inning, but recovered afterward and didn't walk anyone. He has an outside shot of winning a starting role out of camp, but he's more likely to begin 2022 at Triple-A Louisville.

The Reds extended Ashcraft an invitation for major-league spring training Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft split 2021 between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville, and he found success at both levels with a combined 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 129:37 K:BB across 111 innings (22 starts). The 23-year-old will be a longshot to open the season in Cincinnati's starting rotation, but he is a likely bet to make his big-league debut at some point in 2022.