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3w ago

Reds Place Graham Ashcraft on 60-Day IL With UCL Sprain

The move deepens an already thin relief corps, raising the prospect of Tommy John surgery after a PRP injection and a pending second opinion.

Image
May 25, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Graham Ashcraft (23) and catcher Tyler Stephenson (37) celebrate after defeating the New York Mets during the ninth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
May 19, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Pierce Johnson (52) throws a pitch during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Apr 4, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft (23) throws during the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Overview

  • Graham Ashcraft was placed on the 60-day injured list Friday after testing revealed a right UCL sprain and he received a platelet-rich plasma injection while seeking a second medical opinion.
  • The Reds lost another key arm when Pierce Johnson was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday with right elbow inflammation and Lyon Richardson was recalled from Triple-A to take his spot.
  • Cincinnati promoted Yunior Marte from Triple-A in the corresponding move for Ashcraft, and Marte allowed four runs in one-third of an inning in his first appearance, highlighting thin depth.
  • With closer Emilio Pagán already sidelined, the club is relying on remaining relievers such as Tony Santillan, Brock Burke and Pierce Johnson’s replacements for late-inning work, a shift that has already affected game outcomes.
  • UCL sprains vary in severity: some pitchers return after non-surgical treatment and months of rest while others require Tommy John surgery, which typically carries about a 14-month recovery and would remove Ashcraft for the rest of this season and most of 2027.