Graham Ashcraft activated from IL by Reds, Sam Moll designated for assignment

The Cincinnati Reds activated right-hander Graham Ashcraft from the injured list, the club announced, bringing the starter back to the active roster after an absence that stretched across the summer. To clear the corresponding roster spot, the club designated left-hander Sam Moll for assignment.

What happened

Ashcraft rejoins the Reds more than three months after landing on the 60-day injured list with a right forearm UCL sprain, per MLB.com. The activation was expected for Sunday, and the club made it official ahead of the weekend series finale against Milwaukee.

Moll, who had been working out of the bullpen, was designated for assignment in the corresponding move. The club now has seven days to trade him, release him, or place him on outright waivers.

Why it matters

The Reds get back a pitcher who had been a rotation fixture before the injury, and the timing aligns with the expanded September roster window. The club can carry 28 players through the end of the regular season, a cushion that allows teams to add depth without forcing immediate subtractions elsewhere on the roster.

Ashcraft's return also adds another arm to a pitching staff that has cycled through reinforcements in recent days. Two days earlier, the Reds activated Brandon Williamson after his own return from a shoulder injury, part of a wave of September roster moves. A day before Ashcraft's activation, the club was set to select the contract of outfielder Carlos Jorge from Triple-A Louisville for his major-league debut, and earlier in the week signed veteran infielder Orlando Arcia to a minor-league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Louisville as depth for the final weeks.

The designation of Moll opens a path for the club to continue shuffling the roster as it evaluates pieces heading into the offseason. Moll will now enter the seven-day designation window, during which the Reds can explore trade interest or place him on waivers. If he clears, the club can outright him to the minors, though a player with his service time would have the right to elect free agency instead.

Where the club stands

The Reds are 68-74, fifth in the NL Central, 19.5 games back. They are 6.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot, ranked eighth in the race, and have won one in a row heading into Sunday's series finale against the Brewers at Great American Ball Park. Brady Singer is the probable starter for Cincinnati, facing Milwaukee's Kyle Harrison.

After Sunday, the Reds travel to Los Angeles for a two-game series at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. Chase Burns is the probable starter for Monday's opener, with Nick Lodolo lined up for Tuesday. The Dodgers have not yet announced their starters for either game.

The schedule offers the Reds a chance to evaluate Ashcraft in a low-leverage environment, with the postseason race effectively out of reach. The club has been active on the transaction front in recent days, adding depth at Triple-A Louisville and cycling pitchers through the active roster as September's expanded limit allows for more flexibility.

Rookie Sal Stewart leads the majors with 106 RBIs and 31 home runs, carrying a 121 wRC+ as the National League Rookie of the Year frontrunner. The Reds hit three home runs in their most recent win over Milwaukee, a game that included a long rain delay but was completed.

What we don't know yet

The club has not announced Ashcraft's immediate role. The earlier report indicated he was expected to return to the bullpen, but the Reds have not specified whether he will pitch in relief or work his way back into the rotation. The timing of his activation suggests he could be available as soon as Sunday's game, though the club may prefer to ease him back after the extended absence.

Moll's designation also leaves his future uncertain. The Reds have seven days to resolve his roster status, and the outcome will depend on whether another club claims him on waivers or whether the Reds find a trade partner. If he clears waivers, the club can outright him to the minors, though Moll would have the option to refuse the assignment and elect free agency if he has the requisite service time.

The broader question is how the Reds will deploy their pitching staff over the final weeks of the season. With Williamson back and Ashcraft now activated, the club has more arms to work with, but the rotation and bullpen roles remain fluid. The Dodgers series will offer an early test of how the staff is configured, particularly with the second game's starter still to be determined.

What to watch

Ashcraft's first appearance will clarify his role and workload. If he pitches in relief, the Reds are likely treating the final weeks as a ramp-up period. If he starts, the club is signaling confidence in his readiness to handle a full workload again.

Moll's designation will resolve within the week, and the outcome will offer a glimpse into how other clubs value his profile. If he clears waivers and refuses an outright assignment, he becomes a free agent and can sign elsewhere for the stretch run or the offseason.

The Reds' roster churn will continue through the end of the month, with the expanded September limit allowing the club to audition players and manage workloads without the usual roster crunch. The Dodgers series, in particular, will test the pitching depth, with two games in a National League ballpark and a lineup that remains one of the most potent in the league.

Stewart's pursuit of the Rookie of the Year award is another thread to follow. He leads the majors in RBIs and home runs, and the final weeks will determine whether he can hold off other contenders in the National League race. The Reds' offense has been productive in recent games, and Stewart's presence in the middle of the lineup gives the club a chance to play spoiler even as the postseason slips out of reach.