The Reds will recall Ashcraft from Triple-A Louisville to start against the Pirates on Wednesday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft had been one of the candidates to replace Nick Lodolo (finger) in the Reds' rotation, and it now appears the spot is officially his. Ashcraft was optioned to Triple-A earlier in the month after putting up a 5.05 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 62.1 innings over 12 starts, and he's bounced back nicely with Louisville, giving up four earned runs in 12 innings while striking out 12 batters and walking two. The 26-year-old righty will almost certainly make multiple starts during his stint with the Reds, but he'll likely be pushed back to Triple-A once Lodolo returns from the IL.

Ashcraft is a candidate to be called up from Triple-A Louisville to start in place of Nick Lodolo (blister), who was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft has turned in consecutive quality starts since his demotion to Louisville, yielding a total of four runs with a 12:2 K:BB over 12 innings. He's currently slated to start Wednesday for Louisville, but the Reds don't have a starter listed for that day. Lodolo isn't eligible to return until July 9, so Ashcraft would likely be needed for multiple starts if he's indeed the choice.

Ashcraft has thrown 12 innings at Triple-A Louisville since his demotion, allowing four runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out 12. He's been instructed to work on his changeup to improve his off-speed offerings, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft could be back in the majors soon. "It's a matter of time," Reds pitching coach Derek Johnson said. "If he has another good start or whatever, we have a decision to make."

The Reds optioned Ashcraft to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft got off to a decent enough start this season, but things unraveled for him over the last month, as he posted a 6.83 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 19:12 K:BB over 27.2 frames covering his last six starts. It's not yet clear how the Reds plan to fill his spot in the rotation, but shifting the versatile Nick Martinez back to a starting role is an option. Brandon Williamson (shoulder) remains on the 60-day injured list but is another candidate to fill the void, as he made the fourth start of his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Louisville, tossing four scoreless innings.

Ashcraft allowed four runs on six hits against the Rockies on Wednesday. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

All four of Colorado's runs off Ashcraft came in the first inning on five singles. While he ultimately escaped with a no-decision, it was another tough outing for Ashcraft, who's now failed to pitch through six innings in six straight starts. Overall, the 26-year-old right-hander is 4-3 with a 5.05 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 49:21 K:BB across seven starts (62.1 innings) this season. Ashcraft's currently scheduled to face the Guardians at home in his next outing.

Ashcraft didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Cubs, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over 4.2 innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

It's the fifth straight start that Ashcraft's failed to record an out in the sixth inning -- he's allowed at least three runs in each of those outings. The 26-year-old right-hander is 4-3 on the year with a 4.76 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 47:21 K:BB across 11 starts (58.2 innings). The Reds will look for more length out of Ashcraft in his next outing, currently scheduled for next week in Colorado.

Ashcraft (4-3) allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk over 5.1 innings Friday, striking out three and earning a win over the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

It wasn't a very sharp outing but Cincinnati's offense did enough to lift Ashcraft to a victory. Most of the damage came during a four-run second inning before Will Smith belted a solo shot in the fifth. Ashcraft has allowed at least three runs while going fewer than six innings in four straight starts, resulting in a 6.52 ERA during that span. His season ERA is up to 4.67 with a 43:19 K:BB through 10 starts. He's currently in line for a road start against the Cubs next week.

Ashcraft (3-3) was tagged with the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks over five innings while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced in the contest but struggled with his command throughout, needing 44 pitches to get through the first two innings. The Dodgers would finally get to him in the fourth after the right-hander walked two of the first three batters to open the frame, eventually leading to two runs coming home for Los Angeles. It marked the third consecutive start in which Ashcraft has allowed three runs and the third time in a row that he's failed to make it through six innings. Additionally, he's now walked three batters in three straight outings and hasn't won a start since April 20 against the Angels (span of five starts).

Ashcraft allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out three over four innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Ashcraft worked a high pitch count, ending up with 94 pitches (55 strikes) through four frames. He gave up solo home runs to Gabriel Moreno and Joc Pederson, which made this the first time since his season debut that Ashcraft gave up multiple long balls. The 26-year-old is now at a 4.12 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 35:15 K:BB through 43.2 innings over eight starts. He's projected to make his next start on the road against the Dodgers.

Ashcraft (3-2) took the loss Wednesday, giving up three runs on six hits and three walks over five-plus innings as the Reds fell 4-3 to the Diamondbacks. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

After back-to-back quality starts, Ashcraft took a step backwards Wednesday, walking more batters than he struck out for the first time this season and managing only 14 called or swinging strikes among his 86 pitches. The 26-year-old right-hander has still had a solid first month-plus of the campaign, posting a 3.86 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 32:12 K:BB through 39.2 innings. He lines up for a rematch with the D'backs in Arizona early next week.