Before the start of Game Two against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the West Coast, Cincinnati Reds manager addressed the media with an update on reliever Graham Ashcraft, revealing that the pitcher would be undergoing an MRI on his throwing arm. According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Ashcraft has been dealing with discomfort in the “distal forearm,” a region near the wrist that can be sensitive for pitchers due to the stress of repeated high-velocity throws.
Ashcraft’s last appearance on the mound came just two days ago in the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. In that outing, he delivered a flawless seventh inning, striking out one batter and allowing no baserunners. Remarkably, he threw only 10 pitches, eight of which were strikes. His performance helped set the stage for Cincinnati to score five runs in the top of the eighth inning, ultimately giving Ashcraft credit for the win in a game that had been deadlocked at 1-1.
Analyzing his 10-pitch sequence, there didn’t appear to be any immediate red flags. Ashcraft relied heavily on his cutter, which touched velocities between 96.7 and 98.2 MPH throughout the inning. His final cutter, clocked at 97.8 MPH, induced a groundout from James McCann to conclude the frame. Observers noted that as Ashcraft walked back to the dugout, he showed no visible signs of discomfort, though the cameras cut away shortly afterward, leaving some questions unanswered.
At this point, the Reds have not made any roster moves related to Ashcraft. The team may hold off until the MRI results are available, which will help determine how quickly he could return to action. However, with the playoff race heating up and every bullpen arm becoming increasingly valuable, the organization may need to consider proactive measures. This could include calling up another pitcher sooner rather than later to avoid being short-handed while evaluating whether a stint on the 15-day injured list is necessary. The coming days will be crucial for both Ashcraft’s recovery and the Reds’ bullpen management strategy as they navigate the remainder of the season.
