Ashcraft Done for 2026 Season With Arm Discomfort
The Pirates right-hander lands on the IL retroactive to Sept. 7 with arm soreness, ending what had been a breakout full season.
Pittsburgh placed starter Braxton Ashcraft on the 15-day IL (retroactive to Sept. 7) due to discomfort in his throwing arm. Manager Don Kelly confirmed Ashcraft will not pitch again this season, though ongoing tests have not yet revealed any structural damage. The likely culprit is workload fatigue, as Ashcraft logged 165.1 innings in 2026, well above his previous career high of 118. The loss is significant for a Pirates team sitting at 73-73 and chasing a first winning season since 2018.
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