'Healthy and strong' Ashcraft looks to make case for rotation

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The past two Spring Trainings, as part of the Reds' young "Big Three" starting pitcher trio with Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo, Graham Ashcraft was a lock for the rotation. That can't be said at this year's camp.

After injury issues and inconsistency, Ashcraft is in a situation where he has to earn his place in the rotation and on the roster. If he doesn't make it as a starter, the club is open to him working in a relief role.

¡°I¡¯m coming into camp healthy and strong, and I¡¯m just going to compete, and wherever it ends up, it ends up," Ashcraft said. "It¡¯s not really about what I want. It¡¯s about what¡¯s best for the team. If they view me going into the bullpen as something better than me starting, then I¡¯ve got to do what I¡¯ve got to do.¡±

Also competing for rotation spots are Andrew Abbott, Carson Spiers and Rhett Lowder (Cincinnati¡¯s No. 2 prospect, No. 35 overall). Wade Miley, who is in camp as a non-roster player, is expected to be ready in May after he completes his rehab from left elbow surgery.

Abbott is on a throwing progression as a precaution for his left shoulder. Ditto for Lowder, who experienced right elbow discomfort in January. If neither are ready for Opening Day, the 27-year-old Ashcraft's chances would improve greatly.

The first chance to start for Ashcraft comes Saturday, when he is scheduled to open a split-squad game vs. the Brewers in the Cactus League opener at Maryvale. Greene is starting the home game vs. the Guardians.

¡°I¡¯m excited to have him getting ready in camp and pitching in games," Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said. "This is a guy who has had some success in the big leagues. Let¡¯s see if he can get back to where he had success.¡±

An up-and-down 2023 season still saw Ashcraft lead the Reds with 26 starts, 15 quality starts and 145 2/3 innings while going 7-9 with a 4.76 ERA. He missed the final month because of broken big and second toes in his right foot that required surgery.

In 77 1/3 innings over 15 starts last season, Ashcraft was 5-5 with a 5.24 ERA. He was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on June 6 as he battled with inconsistency. After being recalled on June 26, he made three starts, allowing 10 runs on 19 hits over 15 innings.

The Reds optioned Ashcraft to Louisville for a second time on July 8, but he revealed his right elbow was more of a problem.

¡°The stuff I was feeling was muscly," Ashcraft said. "It didn¡¯t feel bad, but I could feel like it was [aggravating]. I was like, ¡®I don¡¯t feel like this is anything. I don¡¯t have tingling. It's just like muscle strain tightness.' I got on some anti-inflammatories and didn¡¯t think anything about it. After the last game the day after I threw, I couldn¡¯t even straighten my arm out.

"I was taking two Celebrex a day to help the inflammation cut. They optioned me. I was like, ¡®I¡¯m hurt. I¡¯m not touching the ball in Triple-A until I get checked out.¡¯¡±

According to Krall, the Reds immediately sent Ashcraft to the doctor after he revealed the issue. The exam revealed a Grade 1-2 ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his right elbow. The optioning of Ashcraft was rescinded on July 10 and he was placed on the 15-day injured list.

Put in a brace for six weeks, Ashcraft missed the rest of the season while rehabbing in Arizona. He was able to resume throwing and ramp back up to pitch in an instructional league game in October.

¡°My velo was back up," he said. "I was up to 97 [mph] with just fastballs. They were like, ¡®You¡¯re good to go. Go have a normal offseason.'"

Working without limitations, Ashcraft wants to show he can be a consistent big league starter.

¡°There¡¯s been a lot of injuries that have fallen in with one another back-to-back and just hindered me from being 100 percent and doing what I can do," Ashcraft said. "I feel like this spring, I have come in as healthy as I possibly can and in the best shape I possibly can. I feel like if I keep doing what I¡¯m doing, it¡¯s going to show up. They¡¯ll make the best decision for the team.¡±