Graham

Ashcraft

Not great. Ashcraft had just one save this year but has been part of a committee in the absence of Emilio Pagán. The committee will shrink. Ashcraft’s last outing was on Monday against the Mets, he said he woke up with what he thought was normal soreness and it simply did not dissipate. He’s getting a second opinion from Dr. Meisner, after his first recommendation was a PRP shot. The 60-day placement will have him out until at least August, but we wouldn’t be surprised if this was a longer absence than that.

This was after Tony Santillan blew a two-run lead in the ninth, so this seems like a big swing in maybe getting Johnson some additional save chances. Graham Ashcraft also helped himself by retiring five of the six batters he faced between the seventh and eighth tonight.

Ashcraft came into a 3-3 game in the bottom of the seventh. He pitched a scoreless frame then, after which the Reds took a 4-3 lead. However, he gave up a single to Alec Bohm and a homer to Bryson Stott in the bottom of the eighth. Ashcraft was pitching for the first time since giving up four runs on Friday. He’s definitely not adding to his case for save chances in a wide-open Reds bullpen.

It wasn’t a save situation, but Ashcraft continued to pitch well. He lowered his ERA to 1.74 and needed just 12 pitches, throwing nine strikes. Pierce Johnson earned the Reds’ most recent save, but this feels unsettled, and Emilio Pagan (hamstring) will be out for a while.

Two singles, followed by two homers. Santillan came into the game with a 2.87 ERA in 15 2/3 innings, but his velocity is down 2.3 mph from last year and he’s been walking too many batters. For Santillan to have this outing on the heels of Graham Ashcraft’s blown save Thursday suggests that things are not going to be OK for the Reds bullpen while Emilio Pagán is out. This does really make Ashcraft look the better fantasy bet going forward, though.

Thrust into the closer role after Emilio Pagán’s injury on Tuesday, Ashcraft fell apart here. With his team headed for their sixth straight loss, they rallied in the top of the ninth to take a two-run lead. That wouldn’t be enough for Ashcraft though, who promptly gave up a game-tying, two-run home run to Pete Crow-Armstrong that barely stretched over the ivy in left-center field. Tony Santillan or Ashcraft remain the logical choices to get save opportunities in Cincinnati, unless this outing sours Terry Francona’s confidence in the latter.

Pagán has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain and is expected to miss roughly 4-8 weeks. The -year-old stopper told reporters he thought he tore his hamstring and that his season was over when he hobbled off the mound after throwing a pitch during Tuesday’s relief appearance against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. He’s facing an extended absence, but his season isn’t over. It’ll likely be either Tony Santillan or Graham Ashcraft taking over the closer role for Cincinnati during his absence.

This didn’t look good at all. Pagán hobbled off the mound and went to the ground clutching his left hamstring after throwing his first pitch of the ninth inning of a tie ballgame. The 34-year-old was carted off the field after several minutes. There should be an update on his status prior to Wednesday’s contest, but it certainly looks like an injured list situation. Tony Santillan or Graham Ashcraft would likely be next up for saves in Cincinnati.

Ashcraft rejoins Cincinnati’s relief corps after missing three games on bereavement leave earlier this week. The 28-year-old righty has recorded one save to go along with a pristine 1.20 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 15/8 K/BB ratio across 15 innings this season.

We hope the best for Ashcraft and his family. He should be out for a few games and could return to the Reds’ bullpen this weekend.