Graham Ashcraft placed on injured list as Cincinnati Reds rotation takes another hit
PHILADELPHIA – Graham Ashcraft threw a bullpen session at Citizens Bank Park on Monday in preparation for his next start, but instead he landed on the 15-day injured list and returned to Cincinnati for an MRI exam.
Ashcraft reported bicep soreness in his throwing arm after throwing Monday. T.J. Zeuch was called up from Triple-A and will start Wednesday in place of Ashcraft.
“He started feeling it, really, (Monday),” Reds Manager David Bell said. “Not in a huge area of concern. Definitely looking to have him back quick. We want him to continue the season he’s having and be able to finish strong. Certainly, enough there to kind of let it settle down and make sure he’s fine. We want him to be able to pitch full strength the rest of the way.”
Ashcraft, who owns a 5-3 record and a 3.97 ERA in 16 starts this year, has surpassed his career high in innings pitched (125 2/3), but there hasn’t been any evidence it has affected him. Ashcraft owned a 2.33 ERA in four starts this month with 18 strikeouts and six walks in 27 innings.
There is no timeline for Ashcraft to return until the Reds learn the results of his MRI, but he’s not eligible to return until Sept. 4 at the earliest. Bell said the coaching staff had conversations Monday about Ashcraft’s innings limit in his first big-league season, but there’s a chance that won’t be an issue when he returns.
“(The injury) really did come out of nowhere,” Bell said. “He said he felt something when he reached to the side of his face or something a couple of days ago, but then didn’t feel it again. (Monday), he felt it throwing.”
Ashcraft’s injury comes at a tough time for the rotation. Hunter Greene remains weeks away from a potential return from a shoulder strain, Connor Overton had a setback with his hamstring while rehabbing in Arizona and Robert Dugger just began throwing this week after he went on the IL for right shoulder pain. Nick Lodolo and Mike Minor are the only starters who remain from the Reds’ six-man rotation prior to the trade deadline.
It's been a tough two starts for Zeuch, who has yielded 17 hits and 12 runs in eight innings.
Brandon Williamson, the Reds’ top pitching prospect at Triple-A, started Tuesday for Louisville. Williamson entered with a 1-3 record and a 3.62 ERA in eight starts in Louisville with 33 strikeouts and 23 walks across 37 1/3 innings.
Why haven’t the Reds called up Williamson with their rotation injuries?
“Every player is on a different path, different timing for their readiness to be in the big leagues,” Bell said. “I think it’s just the decision of really liking where Williamson is, loving that we have him in the organization, but the timing of when he gets here, a lot of people are involved in that decision and want to do what’s best for that. Now is not the right timing, but it could be soon.”
Reds roster moves: Stuart Fairchild, Chuckie Robinson called up
Matt Reynolds was placed on the 10-day injured list with left hip pain Tuesday, and catcher Michael Papierski was optioned to Triple-A.
"(Papierski) stepped in and kind of came out of nowhere," Bell said. "He really impressed with who he is, what he can do, how he can help us win. This is an opportunity for Pap to go to Triple-A, continue to work on areas of his game and hopefully be back soon.”
The Reds called up outfielder Stuart Fairchild and catcher Chuckie Robinson. Fairchild was in the lineup Tuesday.
When Robinson enters his first game, he will be the 58th player to appear in a game this season, which will set a club record. The only teams who have used more players this year are the Pirates (60) and Los Angeles Angels (58).
“I was in my car and (Louisville manager Pat Kelly) called me,” said Robinson, who was on the bench for the Field of Dreams game as the 27th man. “He was like, ‘it’s for real this time.’ I was like, ‘OK, yes!’ I was excited. The first person I called was my grandpa. He basically taught me everything I know about the game. I called my mom, my dad and everybody, my girlfriend. I’m happy to be here and ready to play some baseball.”
Reds connections on Team USA's coaching staff for World Baseball Classic
Ken Griffey Jr. was announced as the Team USA hitting coach for the World Baseball Classic next spring under head coach Mark DeRosa. It will be his professional coaching debut after his Hall of Fame career.
Griffey, who was a part of the pregame festivities at the Field of Dreams game, will be joined by first-base coach Lou Collier, the father of Reds first-round pick Cam Collier, and bench coach Jerry Manuel, whose son, Anthony, is the bench coach for the Reds' affiliate in the Arizona rookie league.
Reds sign Stephen Piscotty to minor-league deal
The Reds signed veteran outfielder Stephen Piscotty to a minor-league contract Tuesday. The 31-year-old spent the last five seasons with the Oakland A's.
Piscotty, who will report to Louisville, had a .190 batting average and .252 on-base percentage in 126 at-bats with Oakland this year. He was released last week.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Reds injuries: Graham Ashcraft, Matt Reynolds on IL
